Teen Depression

 Among teens, depressive symptoms occur 8 times more often than serious depression  Duration is the key difference between depressed moods and serious depression  Depressed moods Short-lived Rarely effect performance in school or relationships  Serious depression Occurs for prolonged periods Become self critical Preoccupied with suicide or death

What is Depression?  Depression – a prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness Much stronger than the occasional sad mood Not easy to manage 2 types of depression  Depends on cause of feeling and length of time

Reactive Depression/Major Depression  Symptoms Persistent depressed, sad, anxious, or empty mood Feeling worthless, helpless, or experiencing excessive or inappropriate guilt Hopeless about the future, excessive pessimistic feelings Loss of interest and pleasure in your usual activities Decreased energy and chronic fatigue Loss of memory, difficulty making decisions or concentrating Irritability or restlessness or agitation Sleep disturbances, either difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much Loss of appetite and interest in food, or overeating, with weight gain Recurring thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or actions  Major Depression Combination of these symptoms Last for at least 2 weeks At least 5 of these symptoms must be present

Physical Symptoms  Depressed teens may experience these symptoms Fatigue Changes in appetite Changes in weight

Reactive Depression  Reactive Depression – response to a stressful event Example – Death of a friend Eventually goes away, within 6 months Person finds ways to manage his/her response to the event  Recommended Treatment Cognitive-behavioral therapy Interpersonal therapy Making concrete changes in the way you manage your life (Job)

Major Depression  Major Depression – medical condition requiring treatment Symptoms are more intense and severe than reactive depression May develop from reactive depression, chemical imbalance, genetic tendency Caused by psychological trauma  Recommended Treatment Cognitive therapy Anti-depressant medication Psychotherapy

Depression in Women  Experience depression twice as often as men  Due to hormonal factors  Additional stress (responsibilities at home/work, single parent, etc.)  Vulnerable after the birth of a baby

Depression in Men  6 million men in the United States are affected by the illness  Less likely to admit to depression ‘  Increased risk of coronary heart disease  Often masked by alcohol or drugs  Working excessively long hours  Less likely to seek help

Getting Help  Talk with supportive people  More physical activity  Volunteer  Counselor  School psychologist  Health care professional  Family doctors