Depression in teens

Depression has long been thought of as something only adults suffer with. In recent years, though, psychiatrists have discovered that there is a high rate of depression in teenagers as well. Moody behaviour that was frequently attributed to adolescent hormonal ups and downs is now more closely scrutinized and considered as possible early-onset depression.

Overlooking the disorder
In fact, according to Dr. Amy Cheung, Adolescent Psychiatrist at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, many doctors admit signs of depression are a reality in children as young as the age of two. Attention deficit disorder in children under seven is linked to bipolar affective disorder (also referred to as manic depression) in many adults. Around 50 per cent of adults suffering with depression experienced their first bout of it when they were teenagers, but didn't seek help until their adult years. The lack of awareness resulted in their depression being overlooked, only to resurface later.

"In the past we thought that teenagers couldn't get depressed," says Dr. Cheung, who sees teenagers between the ages of 13 and 21 with depression. "Teenagers tend to be moody. They tend to be kind of cranky and irritable, they withdraw from their families; they don't want to talk to them, they don't want to participate, they want to be independent. And a lot of these [behaviours] are sometimes the signs of depression. When the teen has depression it goes beyond that. Their problems are more extreme."

Warning signs of depression
If your teen exhibits one or more of the following warning signs for longer than two weeks, you should ask your doctor to be referred to see a psychiatrist or other mood disorders specialist. (Your family doctor should run tests for medical conditions that can mimic depression, such as anemia, infectious mono and low thyroid.)

1. Frequent sadness, tearfulness or crying
2. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or excessive guilt -- common comments are: "I'm not good at anything"; "It's all hopeless anyway, what is the point in going on?”; "Everything is terrible, there is nothing good in my future."
3. Withdrawal from friends and activities
4. Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
5. Decreased energy level
6. Major changes in eating or sleeping habits -- teens tend to overeat, but some undereat. Girls tend to crave carbohydrates. Will oversleep or undersleep and complain of fatigue.
7. Increased irritability, agitation, anger or hostility -- sometimes teens will act out or delve into risky behaviour to draw attention to the fact that they have depression.
8. Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches
9. Indecision or inability to concentrate -- school grades will drop
10. Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
11. Journals and drawings will reflect dark images and/or thoughts
12. Behaviour that involves excessive aggression directed toward oneself or others, or involves persistently sad themes -- sometimes teens will dabble in risky behaviour such as unprotected sex, hanging out with a bad crowd, cutting, or experimenting with drugs and alcohol to mask their pain.
13. Recurring thoughts or talk of death, suicide or self-destructive behaviour

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