Depression TRANSCRIPT

Do you ever wonder whether your irritable or unhappy adolescent might actually be
experiencing teen depression? Of course, most teens feel unhappy at times. And when you add
hormone havoc to the many other changes happening in a teen's life, it's easy to see why their
moods swing like a pendulum. Yet findings show that one out of every eight adolescents have
teen depression. But depression can be treated as well as the serious problems that come with it.
So if your teen's unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks and they display other symptoms of
depression, it may be time to seek help from a health professional.

Why do adolescents get depression?

There are multiple reasons why a teenager might become depressed. For example, teens can
develop feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy over their grades. School performance, social
status with peers, or family life can each have a major effect on how a teen feels. Sometimes, teen
depression may result from environmental stress. But whatever the cause, when being with
friends or family -- or doing things that the teen usually enjoys -- don't help to improve their
sadness or sense of isolation, there's a good chance that they have teen depression.

What are the symptoms of teen depression?

Often, kids with teen depression will have a noticeable change in their thinking and behavior. The
most common symptom of depression is sadness for no apparent reason most of the time. They
may have no motivation and even become withdrawn, closing their bedroom door after school
and staying in their room for hours.
Kids with teen depression may sleep excessively, have a change in eating habits, and may even
exhibit criminal behaviors such as DUI or shoplifting. Here are more signs of depression in
adolescents even though they may or may not show all signs:

 Apathy
 Complaints of pains, including headaches, stomachaches, low back pain, or fatigue
 Difficulty concentrating
 Difficulty making decisions
 Excessive or inappropriate guilt
 Irresponsible behavior -- for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes,
skipping school
 Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
 Memory loss
 Preoccupation with death and dying
 Rebellious behavior
 Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness
 Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
 Sudden drop in grades
  Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
 Withdrawal from friends
 Feeling helpless
 Unexplained crying
 Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure

Can teen depression run in families?

Yes. Depression, which usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, sometimes can run 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 their 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 or substance abuse or screen for complex forms of depression such as bipolar
disorder (manic depressive illness) or psychosis. The doctor will also assess the teen for risks of
suicide or homicide. Incidences of attempted suicide and self-mutilation is higher in females than
males while completed suicide is higher in males. One of the most vulnerable groups for
completed suicide is the 18-24 age group.
The United States Preventive Service Task Force now recommends screening for anxiety in
children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 years and screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) in
adolescents ages 12 to 18 years.

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 can, rarely, increase the risk of suicidal thinking
and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Use
of antidepressants in younger patients, therefore, requires especially close monitoring and
follow-up by the treating doctor. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your health
care provider.

Does depression medicine work for teen depression?

Yes. A large number of research trials have shown the effectiveness of depression medications in
relieving the symptoms of teen depression. One key recent study, funded by the National
Institute of Mental Health, reviewed three different approaches to treating adolescents with
moderate to severe depression:

 One approach was using the antidepressant medication Prozac, which is approved by the
FDA for use with pediatric patients ages 8-18.
 The second treatment was using cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help the teen
recognize and change negative patterns of thinking that may increase symptoms of
depression.
 The third approach was a combination of medication and CBT.

At the end of the 12-week study, researchers found that nearly three out of every four patients
who received the combination treatment -- depression medication and psychotherapy --
significantly improved. More than 60% of the kids who took Prozac alone improved. But the study
confirmed that combination treatment was nearly twice as effective in relieving depression as
psychotherapy alone.

What are the warning signs for teen suicide?

Teen suicide is a serious problem. Adolescent suicide is the second leading cause of death,
following accidents, among youth and young adults in the U.S. It is estimated that 500,000 teens
attempt suicide every year with 5,000 succeeding. These are epidemic numbers.
Family difficulties, the loss of a loved one, or perceived failures at school or in relationships can all
lead to negative feelings and depression. And teen depression often makes problems seem
overwhelming and the associated pain unbearable. Suicide is an act of desperation and teen
depression is often the root cause.
Warning signs of suicide with teen depression include:

 Expressing hopelessness for the future

 Giving up on one's self, talking as if no one else cares
 Preparing for death, giving away favorite possessions, writing goodbye letters, or making
a will
 Starting to use or abuse drugs or alcohol to aid sleep or for relief from their mental
anguish
 Defiant behavior
 Acting violently
 Threatening to kill one's self
If your teenager displays any of these behaviors, you should seek help from a mental health
professional immediately. Or you can call a suicide hotline for help.
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions
should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline
immediately. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

What can parents do to alleviate teen depression?

Parenting teens can be very challenging. There are, though, some effective parenting and
communication techniques you can use to help lower the stress level for your teenager:

 When disciplining your teen, replace shame and punishment with positive reinforcement
for good behavior. Shame and punishment can make an adolescent feel worthless and
inadequate.
 Allow your teenager to make mistakes. Overprotecting or making decisions for teens can
be perceived as a lack of faith in their abilities. This can make them feel less confident.
 Give your teen breathing room. Don't expect teens to do exactly as you say all of the time.
 Do not force your teen down a path you wanted to follow. Avoid trying to relive your youth
through your teen's activities and experiences.
 If you suspect that your teen is depressed, take the time to listen to their concerns. Even if
you don't think the problem is of real concern, remember that it may feel very real to
someone who is growing up.
 Keep the lines of communication open, even if your teen seems to want to withdraw.
 Try to avoid telling your teen what to do. Instead, listen closely and you may discover
more about the issues causing the problems.
 If there is a close friend or family member your teen is close to and comfortable with, you
might suggest your teen talk with this person about their concerns.

If you feel overwhelmed or unable to reach your teen, or if you continue to be concerned, seek
help from a qualified health care professional.

Can't teen depression go away without medical treatment?

Teen depression tends to come and go in episodes. Once a teenager has one bout of depression,
they are likely to get depressed again at some point. The consequence of letting teen depression
go untreated can be extremely serious and even deadly.