Teenage Depression: Symptoms and Ways of Treatment

What are the causes of teenage depression?

In fact, there are plenty of causes of teenage depression. Everyone feels unhappy and irritable every once in a way. And if you add hormonal factor to those changes that happen in life of the teenagers, you will understand why their mood changes so often. Family life, school performance, sexual orientation and social status are among those factors influencing teens’ feelings very much. Feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness can develop in depression. Sometimes, environmental stress can also result in teenage depression. Of course, sadness and feeling of worthlessness do not always indicate about depression. However, regardless of the reason, when family, friends or activities the teenagers usually enjoy, do not help, it may indicate they have teenage depression. It is a serious problem, but it is treated. So, if your teen feels unhappy and has other symptoms of teen depression more than two weeks, you are better to seek advice of the doctor.

Teenage depression and its symptoms

If your kid closes his or her bedroom door and stays there for hours, it may indicate he or she has moods. The teen becomes withdrawn and has no motivation. The kids also can have noticeable changes in behavior and thinking. They often forget about their obligations and skip school. The most common symptoms of teenage depression are difficulty making decisions or concentrating, inappropriate feeling of guilt and hopelessness, apathy, anxiety, sadness, irresponsible or rebellious behavior, withdrawal from family and friends, memory loss, promiscuous sexual activity, alcohol and drug abuse, thoughts of death. They also complain about headaches, low back pain, stomach aches and fatigue. They sleep at day time and stay awake at night. Teens often overeat or lose interest in food. It may result in rapid weight changes.

How is teenage depression detected?

First of all, a health professional can determine symptoms of teenage depression by interviewing a teenager. There are various psychological tests that help him to make a diagnosis. Not only teenagers are interviewed. Peers, family members and friends are also interviewed and put through psychological tests. It is very important to interview relatives, because depression can run in families. Teens having a family history of depression are more likely to suffer from teenage depression. These interviews also help to determine the risk of suicide and severity of depression. Females try to commit suicide more often than males. At the same time, completed suicide is lower in females than in males. Most people who take their own life are from 18 to 24. Such psychiatric disorders as mania, schizophrenia or anxiety are also diagnosed by the doctor during the interview. Not only diagnosis is made on the basis of information obtained during the interviews and tests. Recommendations as for teenages depression treatment are also based on them.

Treatment of teenage depression

Various methods are used for teenages depression treatment. The most common methods are psychotherapy and medication. According to the numerous researches, medicine relieves teenage depression symptoms. The use of antidepressant Prozac was proved to be very effective, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The cognitive behavioral therapy helps teenagers to make away with negative thoughts that often increase symptoms of teen depression. And at last, combination of CBT and medication is often used for treatment of teenage depression. It is proved to be the most effective way of treatment. The teenage needs support and help from his family, that is why family therapy is very helpful. In case of severe symptoms, hospitalization may be required. Do not use antidepressant, if they are not prescribed by the doctor, because they may increase the risk of suicide in case of teenages depression. If you have any questions, consult the doctor. He will determine the best method of treatment for your kid.