Khomenko
Anastasia
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University
The
Institute of Corrective Pedagogy and Psychology, student
Pet’ko Lyudmila,
Scientific supervisor,
Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University (Ukraine,
Kyiv)
TEEN DEPRESSION
Õîìåíêî
Àíàñòàñèÿ
Íàöèîíàëüíûé
ïåäàãîãè÷åñêèé óíèâåðñèòåò èìåíè Ì.Ï.Äðàãîìàíîâà, ²íñòèòóò
êîðåêöèîííîé ïåäàãîãèêè è ïñèõîëîãèè (Óêðàèíà,
ã.Êèåâ)
Ïåòüêî Ëþäìèëà,
ê.ïåä.í., äîöåíò ÍÏÓ èìåíè
Ì.Ï.Äðàãîìàíîâà (Óêðàèíà, ã.Êèåâ)
Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and the occasional melancholy –
it’s a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Teen
depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, self-loathing and
self-mutilation, pregnancy, violence, and even suicide. But as a concerned
parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can help [4].
Clinically significant depression can be broadly understood as
depression that is severe enough that it interferes with the person's ability
to function in some way. It is quite common in every age group, affecting more
than 16% of the populations in the United States at some point in their
lifetime. Depression occurs at a rate of about 2% during childhood and from
4%-7% during adolescence. This illness is a leading cause of health impairment
(morbidity) and death (mortality) [2].
The negative effects of depression in relationships
are well-established. In general, depressed children and adolescents report having less
satisfying relationships, and feel more insecure about their relationships.
Forming romantic relationships is an important developmental step for
adolescents, as adolescent relationships teach important skills that aid future
adult ones [1].
Lauren DiMaria points out that distress in
relationships has been identified as a precursor and consequence of childhood depression. Given this, parents of children or adolescents who show significant
distress or difficulty in relationships should watch for other signs and
symptoms of depression, such as: sadness; feelings of guilt; feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness; unexplained physical complaints; sleeping and appetite changes
The author stresses that even subsyndromal symptoms of depression are shown to
negatively impact romantic relationships, and therefore, the early
identification and treatment of even mild depressive symptoms in childhood could
have important benefits to your child. All children and adolescents will have
ups and downs in their relationships, but if you feel like her relationship
difficulties are significantly interfering with her daily
functioning, it is worth talking to her pediatrician or mental heath provider to
explore what is going on.
Roxanne
Dryden-Edwards states that depression is
common during the teenage years, affecting about 20% of adolescents by the time
they reach adulthood. Other statistics about teen depression include that over
8% of adolescents suffer from depression that lasts a year or more. [1].
Teen depression
and other mood disorders are somewhat associated with the stress
of body changes, including the fluctuating hormones of puberty,
as well as teen ambivalence toward increased independence, and with changes in
their relationships with parents, peers, and others. Teenagers who suffer from conduct
disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), clinical anxiety,
or who have cognitive and learning problems, as well as trouble relating to
others are at higher risk of also developing depression.
For some
depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more
prominent. There are some signs and symptoms of depression in teens: sadness or
hopelessness; irritability, anger, or hostility; tearfulness or frequent
crying; withdrawal from friends and family; loss of interest in activities;
changes in eating and sleeping habits; restlessness and agitation; feelings of
worthlessness and guilt; lack of enthusiasm and motivation; fatigue or lack of
energy; difficulty concentrating; thoughts of death or suicide [4].
For future teachers is important to
know the causes of depression in teens. Depression may be a reaction to environmental
stresses including trauma like verbal, physical, or sexual
abuse,
the death of a loved one, school problems, or being the victim of bullying
or peer pressure. Gay teens are at higher risk for depression, thought to be
because of the bullying by peers and potential rejection by family members.
Teens in military families have been found to be at risk for experiencing
depression as well [2; 3].
Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults.
The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in their
adult counterparts: 1) irritable or angry mood (as
noted above, irritability, rather than sadness, is often the predominant mood
in depressed teens. A depressed teenager may be grumpy, hostile, easily
frustrated, or prone to angry outbursts); 2) unexplained aches and pains
(depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches
or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause,
these aches and pains may indicate depression); 3) extreme sensitivity to criticism
(depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them
extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular
problem for “over-achievers”); 4) withdrawing from some, but not all people
(while adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep
up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less
than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a
different crowd) [4].
Bibliography
http://www.medicinenet.com/teen_depression/page2.htm#what_is_teen_depression
3. Nancy Schimelpfening. How
to Help Someone With Depression [Web site]. – Access mode: http://depression.about.com/cs/basicfacts/a/howtohelp.htm
4. Smith Melinda. Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents / M. Smith, S.Barston,
J.Segal [Web site]. – Access mode:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm