Yes. Depression, which usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, runs in
families. In fact, teen depression may be more common among adolescents who
have a family history of depression.
How is teen depression diagnosed?
There aren't any specific medical tests that can detect depression. Health
care professionals determine if a teen has depression by conducting
interviews and psychological tests with the teen and his or her family members,
teachers, and peers.
The severity of the teen depression and the risk of suicide are determined
based on the assessment of these interviews. Treatment recommendations are also
made based on the data collected from the interviews.
The doctor will also look for signs of potentially co-existing psychiatric
disorders such as anxiety, mania, or schizophrenia. The doctor will also assess
the teen for risks of suicidal or homicidal behaviors. Incidences of attempted
suicide and self-mutilation is higher in females than males while completed
suicide is higher in males. One of most vulnerable groups for completed suicide
is the 18-24 age group.
How is teen depression treated?
There are a variety of methods used to treat depression, including
medications and psychotherapy. Family therapy may be helpful if family conflict
is contributing to a teen's depression. The teen will also need support from
family or teachers to help with any school or peer problems. Occasionally,
hospitalization in a psychiatric unit may be required for teenagers with severe
depression.
Your mental health care provider will determine the best course of treatment
for your teen.
The FDA warns that antidepressant medications may increase the risk of
suicidal thinking and behavior in
children and adolescents with depression and
other psychiatric disorders. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them
with your health care provider.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Alcohol is the most frequently used drug by American teenagers. Teens that drink are more likely to drive under the influence, have unprotected sex, and use other drugs, like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Symptoms of alcohol abuse in teens include lying, breaking curfew, becoming verbally or physically abusive toward others, making excuses, smelling like alcohol, having mood swings, and stealing.
Drugs commonly abused by teens include tobacco products, marijuana, cold medications, inhalants, depressants, stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, PCP, ketamine, Ecstasy, and anabolic steroids. Some of the symptoms and warning signs of teen drug abuse include reddened whites of eyes, paranoia, sleepiness, excessive happiness, seizures, memory loss, increased appetite, discolored fingertips, lips or teeth, and irritability. Treatment of drug addiction may involve a combination of medication, individual, and familial interventions.
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
Good parenting helps foster empathy, honesty, self-reliance, self-control, kindness, cooperation, and cheerfulness, says Steinberg, a distinguished professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia. It also promotes intellectual curiosity, motivation, and desire to achieve. It helps protect children from developing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, antisocial behavior, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors.
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
Fast food consumption and lack of exercise are just a couple of causes of childhood obesity. Health effects of childhood obesity include type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, fatty liver disease, GERD, depression, and eating disorders.
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