Teenage Depression

Depression in adolescence is a long-term bador a depressed mood in a teenager, which has a negative impact on all areas of his life.

Depressive disorder can cause permanent failures, conflicts at home and in school, drug addiction, alcoholism, self-denial, violence, and even suicide( suicide).

In a study conducted by the Western Australian Medical Center, 10% of children in the 10 to 15 age group had symptoms of teenage depression, and, unfortunately, the number of reported cases worldwide is increasing year by year.

Symptoms and signs of depression in adolescents ^

Doctors warn that it is extremely important for parents of adolescent children to know the basic symptoms of adolescent depression in order to diagnose the disease in time and seek qualified medical help.

After all, depressive disorder is not so terrible in itself, how dangerous its consequences, in which it can result( up to suicide).Therefore, parents need to be able to see this condition on time in their child and know what should be done in this case.

Symptoms of adolescent depression:

• depressed, sad mood for a long time;
• excessive tearfulness - on the slightest occasion( remarks, criticism, jokes of adults or peers) tears appear on the eyes;
• increased irritability and hostility to others, which can turn into anger and aggression;
• aspiration for loneliness - does not want to communicate with peers and family members;
• loss of interest and indifference to everything - the child can lie down during the day and do nothing;
• poor appetite( until its complete absence) and sleep;
• can be a constant worry and excitement for no particular reason;
• understated self-esteem and guilt towards oneself and loved ones;
• chronic fatigue and lack of energy;
• the inability to concentrate on anything, the deterioration of memory and attention;
• manifestation of interest in the subject of death and suicide - a teenager often touches this topic in conversation, reads books, articles, watches movies.

It should also be noted that the symptoms of adolescent and adult depression have some differences. So for adult depressive disorders is characterized by dejection and depressed mood, and in adolescents, depression is often manifested by aggression, a tendency to violence and outbursts of anger.

Treatment of adolescent depression ^

Depression in adolescence can be well treated, but unfortunately, adolescents receive qualified care only in one of five to six cases. After all, children because of their age often do not understand what is happening to them, feel embarrassed by someone to devote to their problems and can not themselves turn to a specialist for help.

Adolescents often complain of headaches and abdominal pains, but physicians do not find any reason to objectively under medical examination. Therefore, the diagnosis of adolescent depression does not seem too complicated for specialists. The main thing, in time to notice it, turn to a professional psychotherapist and pick up an adequate treatment.

There are several types of treatment for depressive illness in adolescents:

• individual or group sessions with a psychotherapist;
• family therapy;
• drug therapy, which the doctor tries to appoint only as a last resort as part of a comprehensive treatment.

Psychotherapy is successfully used for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, and for more severe use of medications - antidepressants. But since they often give side effects( most often sleep disorders, fatigue and drowsiness), antidepressants should be selected by a highly qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism and the psyche of the child.

How to deal with depression in children and adolescents: psychologist's advice ^

To prevent teen depression, psychologists advise:

• parents should always pay attention to their child;
• find time to always listen and help him;
• accept it as it is with all its shortcomings and advantages;
• try to less criticize and conflict with a teenager;
• show on a personal example how to behave in different situations;
• to encourage the movement activity in every way, as it has been experimentally proven that adolescents who engage in sports are much less susceptible to depressive disorders.

If a child has been diagnosed with a depressive illness, it is necessary to treat him with the maximum patience and understanding, support him in everything on the way to recovery: follow the doctor's recommendations for taking medications, regimen of the day;encourage the attendance of psychotherapy sessions;create all conditions for physical and social activity.

And most importantly, parents should remember that treatment of depressive disorder in adolescents can be difficult, and more than once your hands can fall, but you must believe in yourself and your child, be able to enjoy life and even your small victories over the disease. And you always have to get it!
We also recommend you to watch a video of the famous psychotherapist Elman Osmanov about symptoms and modern methods of depression treatment: