Clinical Depression in Teenagers
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is otherwise called as major depression. This is a disorder that is characterized by an all-encompassing low mood coupled with low self-esteem and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. There are different types of major depression. The first type is dysthymia. Dysthymia is a chronic illness lasting longer than major depression. It can last everyday for two years in adults and one year in children and adolescents.
Sometimes, this disorder starts during childhood. However, parents don’t see it as a disorder so it is left untreated. Melancholic depression is characterized by loss of pleasure in most if not all activities. Symptoms of depression are more pronounced than that of symptoms of grief. Atypical depression is characterized by mood reactivity and positivity. There is significant weight gain, hypersomnia, increased appetite and social impairment. Catatonic depression is a severe form of depression involving disturbances in motor behavior. Postpartum depression occurs to new mothers after giving birth. The challenges of motherhood often lead mothers to become depressed. Seasonal affective disorder happens in autumn or winter, when there is less natural sunlight.
Signs and symptoms of major depression are very low mood, affecting all aspects of life, inability to experience pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, insomnia, hypersomnia, and increase or decrease in appetite. Some physical symptoms may include fatigue, headaches and digestive problems. Cognitive symptoms may also be present which are forgetfulness, slowing of movements, and inability to concentrate. In severe cases of major depression, symptoms of psychosis may be exhibited by a patient. Some of these signs are delusions and hallucinations.
Management for major depression would depend on the severity of the case. It would either be psychotherapy, medication therapy with antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, physical exercise, over the counter compounds and other somatic treatments. Management would depend on the assessment and evaluation of the doctor.
Clinical Depression in Teenagers
One type of major depression that is very common among adolescents is adjustment disorder with depressed mood. This is a reaction to an event that occurred within the last three months. These events can be traumatic but relevantly minor. Examples of which are girlfriend or boyfriend beak ups, moving to another area, failing in a subject in school, and others. The length and severity of symptoms for adjustment disorder with depressed mood will depend on the support system that is available for the teenager. If the parents and peers are there to help the teen deal with the problems, then additional problems will be minimized.
When teenage depression is not attended to, it would result to clinical depression, or major depressive disorder. What seemed to be a mild case of teenage depression when not treated will develop to be a severe case, which in turn will lead to clinical depression. This is something that is to be avoided since bigger problems will be encountered by the teenager. According to statistics, about 5% of teens suffer from major depression. This is an alarming number and it should call for action – not only to health care professionals but also to the parents, teachers, and other significant others of teens.
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