The Nation’s Health Healthy You November/December 2016 Teen depression: It’s more than a passing mood swing

By Natalie McGill parents. That doesn’t mean that everybody who has those problems is depressed. But if he teen years can be a trying time you have somebody with a mood problem and filled with emotional highs and lows you see a change in their function, those are Tas bodies and brains change rapidly. the people you suspect have a difficulty with But if a teen seems to experience more lows clinical depression.” for longer than normal, that may be a sign of If you’re a parent of a teen who has signs of depression. t r depression, ask questions about how they’re

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e doing and seek the help of a mental health mental health, visit www.nimh.nih.gov. b

e of both biological and social reasons,

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v says David Brent, MD, professor e

t physician to get a proper S

, of psychiatry, pediatrics and

n diagnosis, Brent says. need help to catch up, he says. o i

s epidemiology at the University s If you’re a friend of a “Adolescence isn’t a static period of time,” e s of Pittsburgh School of y

p teen, encourage them to Brent says. “You’re supposed to be acquiring a r Medicine and a National e seek help, but also make h knowledge, social skills...if you’re depressed, t

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e sure to inform your friend’s you’re not doing that.” i d

u Health-funded researcher. t parents or guidance Talking with a trained therapist can help s i l l

e As teens go through t counselor about what’s teens with depression feel better again. Two n I

, puberty, their brains are still n going on, he says. kinds of therapy have been shown to help e e t

maturing, including the areas

o If a teen you know is in teens with depression: interpersonal and l o s

that relate to how they manage ; crisis and is thinking about cognitive. In interpersonal therapy, teens focus s e

g emotions. While they have emotions,

a self-harm, call 911, or share on restoring relationships between themselves, m i

s they may not have all the tools to deal with

s information on the National Suicide Prevention family and friends. Teens who strengthen those e n i them yet. s Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. bonds can help build a support system. u b

y Brent says the difference between the

e “Whoever is in contact with kids should be In cognitive behavior therapy, teens work k n

o “ups and downs” or moodiness of teens and able to recognize the signs...so they can get with a therapist to tackle the connections M

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s depression is that symptoms, such as irregular them to treatment.” Brent says. “That might between their feelings, thoughts and behaviors n e e t sleeping habits or eating too much or too more likely be school personnel, people and the reasons why they may focus on f o

p little, last for a long time and are associated involved in athletics and primary care clini - negative things. u o r

G with impairment. Other signs of depression in cians.” Teens who have more severe depression or

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o teens may be difficulty with concentration, less Failing to diagnose depression is a health have symptoms that don’t respond to therapy h p k

c motivation and feelings of worthlessness, guilt risk. The longer depression goes untreated, alone may need prescription medications, such o t S i

and possibly suicide. the harder it becomes to treat. Chronic as antidepressants, to help improve mood. y s e t “Depression is associated with functional depression, he added, is more difficult to “People sometimes feel that once they’re r u o

c impairment,” Brent says. “They’re not doing treat and recovery time takes longer. During depressed, there’s no hope,” Brent says. s o t

o as well in school. They’re withdrawing from a time when they’re supposed to be growing, “There’s evidence that these treatments are h P their friends. They’re fighting more with their teens with depression may fall behind and effective for many people. And even if one treatment doesn’t work, Recognizing the signs of a different one or a combination of treatments depression in teens can help the majority of Teens who are struggling with depression may not people.” always speak about it, but they can show signs. If NIMH also suggests a teen you know has some of these behaviors, talk teens take the time for to her or him about how they are feeling: self-care. The institute recommends eating Irregular sleeping habits healthy foods, getting Eating too much, or not eating enough daily exercise and Difficulty concentrating enough sleep. Social activity, such as hanging Lack of motivation out with friends, can Feelings of worthlessness, guilt or suicide also help to ease the symptoms of depression. Download free copies of Healthy You at www.thenationshealth.org