Depression in Adolescence
Landon Guill
Depression is described by the Berk text as feeling sad, frustrated, and hopeless about life, accompanied by loss of pleasure in most activities and disturbances in sleep, appetite, concentration, and energy.
15-20% of teens have experienced an episode of depression . 2-8% of teens are chronically depressed
Factors Related to Depression in Adolescence
Genetic
Genes can induce depression by affecting the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, the development of brain regions involved in inhibiting negative emotion, to the body's hormonal response to stress.
Observed Behavior
A high incidence of depression is seen in parents of depressed children and adolescence. Depressed parents may engage in maladaptive parenting, therefore leaving them with an impaired self-esteem.
Early Maturation
Early-maturing girls are especially prone to depression because of their tendency to worry about every little thing.
Ways to Help a Depressed Teen
- Be understanding- you never know what the depressed person has experienced
- Offer them a helping hand
- Recommend them to a psychiatrist
5 Must-Know Facts About Teenage Depression