Mental Health: Depression in Adolescents and Teens

Progressing to Adulthood

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Introduction:

Assari, S., Ehsan, M.-Z., Cleopatra, H. C., & Marc, A. Z. (2017). Racial Discrimination

During Adolescence Predicts Mental Health Deterioration in Adulthood: Gender

Differences among Blacks. Frontiers in public health, 104.

The article discusses the adolescence and the adolescents. It explains that when someone

is adolescent, they are a young person who is going through the process of maturing from being a

child to being an adult. Adolescents are also referred to as adolescents or youngsters under the

age of eighteen in some circles. Clinical terminology refers to depression as major depressive

disorder or clinical depression, which is characterized by intense feelings of sorrow and despair.

Depression is often referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression in medical

terminology. Adolescent depression is a severe mental health disease that leads children and

adolescents to become disinterested in their typical interests and to feel gloomy all of the time.

Adolescents' ability to handle their daily responsibilities, form relationships with others,

and think negatively is negatively impacted by depression. Leaving adolescent depression

untreated might result in long-term mental and physical problems in the future. Despite the fact

that depression does not have a link to age, the symptoms of depression differ amongst different

age groups. The signs and symptoms of depression in teens will be different from those of

depression in older people. Depression among teenagers has been increasingly common in the

United States during the past few years.

The effects of peer pressure, physical changes associated with puberty, and educational

expectations put on young people by society and their parents, among other factors, are some of

the most prominent causes of adolescent depression. A typical course of treatment for adolescent
depression includes intensive psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication (anti-depression

drugs). The failure to recognize and treat depression in teenagers can have serious implications,

including death, because the majority of adolescents who suffer from depression end up trying

suicide.

Causes of Adolescent Depression

Moreira, D. P., & Furegato, A. R. F. (2013). Stress and depression among students of the

last semester in two nursing courses. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 21(SPE),

155-162.

The above mentioned article discussed in detail that the ability to speak with a teenager is

not always a walk in the park, as they say. Young people typically believe that they are of legal

age and are free to do anything they want without consequence. Because of the physical and

emotional changes that are taking place in their bodies, individuals believe that they have

achieved maturity and are capable of making rational decisions. Teenagers will get entangled in

heated debates with their parents on a frequent basis as a result of this. Teens will argue with

their parents over everything and everything, including whether or not to put the garbage out in

the morning. Everything that was before considered a non-issue has now been raised to the status

of a concern for them. As a result of entering a strange house with a teenager, it is not

uncommon to hear the adolescent yell "I hate you, mom and dad" as they sprint out of the house.

"I really loathe you." A group of children, who were formerly innocent, adorable, and obedient in

their behavior, have now converted into miniature monsters who hang around the house, causing

havoc on their surroundings. While this may be suggestive of depression in certain cases, it is not

always true. When a parent becomes aware that their child is experiencing signs of depression, it
is critical that they seek the right therapy for their child as quickly as possible. While this list

may not be as comprehensive as it might be, it does offer an overview of the numerous elements

that may play a role in the development of depression.

Oldehinkel, A. J., Ormel, J., Verhulst, F. C., & Nederhof, E. (2014). Childhood adversities

and adolescent depression: A matter of both risk and resilience. Development and

Psychopathology, 26(4pt1), 1067-1075.

In accordance with the findings of the poll, academic pressure is a significant source of

stress for university students. Given the fact that college is now more costly than it has ever

been, teenagers today are under immense pressure to achieve academic brilliance in order to

maintain their financial well-being as they transition into adult life. For the vast majority of the

time, it is their parents that place this kind of pressure on them. Teens must put out tremendous

effort in order to be considered for a graduate school scholarship that would cover the cost of

their high school education. Thus, the kids are preoccupied with their studies and maintaining a

high grade-point average (GPA). When a student notices even the tiniest decrease in their grade

point average, they will have a total breakdown.

Furthermore, it brings the issue of peer pressure to much greater public prominence than

it already has. As a consequence of the hormonal changes that occur in their bodies, the great

majority of teenagers learn to cope with and live with a variety of physical and psychological

changes that occur in their bodies during their adolescence. In nature, these transitions occur on

both a physical and an emotional level at the same time. It is as a result of this that these children

will strive for acceptability and popularity in their schools, and if they are unsuccessful in their

endeavors, they will become extremely depressed. Among other things, these kids will be seen

indulging in behaviors such as the use of illicit substances, excessive drinking, and even
experimenting with potentially harmful chemicals. It is nearly always done with the purpose of

obtaining the level of popularity that the individual want to achieve. Social misfits are defined as

children who refuse to participate in these activities, and they are unlikely to be accepted by the

rest of their peers until they reach adulthood.

Kalin, N. H. (2020). Insights into suicide and depression. . American Journal of Psychiatry,

877-880

The article details on the complications that may arise as a result of the heart disease.

When it comes to romantic relationships, high school kids will be eager to join into them as soon

as they are able to do so without being forced. Breakups and re-makeups become a natural part

of a teenager's life as he or she progresses through the stages of life. The romantic relationships

that these teenagers experience with one another help to define their identities as individuals.

Having a physical and emotional connection with their parents is something that all teen’s desire,

and they are not alone in this desire. If they do not receive the affection that they seek as a

consequence, they may experience depression or worry.

Aside from that, children must deal with the separation of their parents, which is very

difficult circumstance to be in. Recently, the number of divorces and separations among married

and single couples in the United States has climbed dramatically, with the number of divorces

and separations increasing significantly in the preceding year. Divorce has become more

common in today's culture as a result of the last decade's economic downturn. Children are the

ones that suffer the most as a result of a separation or divorce, regardless of how long the

separation or divorce has lasted or how brief the separation or divorce has been in existence.

Teenage children and their parents may find themselves in a stressful situation if their marriage
ends in divorce, which may be particularly difficult. The aggression or unhappiness of an

adolescent may worsen as they get older, perhaps leading to depression in the future.

The next topic that is brought up in the narrative on this level is the family's financial

difficulties, which is addressed in the next paragraph. Teenagers aren't often the major

breadwinners in their families, especially in lower-income families. This does not rule out the

possibility that their families would be adversely affected as a result of the situation if their

families are having financial difficulties. Among youngsters, the idea of losing their homes or the

manner of life that they had grown accustomed to would always be a source of constant anxiety.

It is possible for teenagers to suffer from severe depression as a result of their continuous

fixation with the subject.

Clayborne, Zahra, M., Melanie, V., & Colman, I. (2019). Systematic review and meta-

analysis: adolescent depression and long-term psychosocial outcomes . Journal of the

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 72-79

The subject of heredity, which is also discussed in the book, will be the second topic

under examination in this section. Depression appears to be passed on through certain families as

if it were encoded in their DNA. That is, as a consequence of the genes that have been passed

down from their ancestors and mothers, individuals of the family will be more susceptible to

depression. Youth who grow up in such homes are more likely than other youth to suffer from

depression than youth who do not grow up in such homes.

When the author discusses the long-term repercussions of traumatic events on people's

lives, he brings up an important point. For many teenagers, the untimely death of a close friend

or family member is the most prevalent cause for depression. This can be aggravated by
experiences of abuse at home or in school, among other things. Immediately following the loss

of a loved one, a person may have brief depressive episodes, in addition to intense feelings of

anxiety and sadness. It is as a result of this that parents and educators are encouraged to become

more active in their children's upbringing and education. They will also benefit from

participating since it will help them recognize if they are being exposed to any type of abuse or if

they are becoming really depressed.

Being constantly overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of problems It is

possible for a teenager to have feelings of dread when he or she realizes he or she has no control

over an event that is about to take place. The moment they realize that the occurrence will have a

long-term emotional impact on them, they begin to feel helpless and unsatisfied with their lives.

Think of the death of a loved one when they are resting in bed, as a result of a condition such as

cancer or another illness, as an illustration.

Many stage teens believe they are extraterrestrial creatures that do not require any

support from anyone, least of all their parents, when they grow through puberty and become

sexually mature. Because of this, they will have a great need to isolate themselves from everyone

and push them aside. Although such action may be taken, it does not eliminate the obligation for

these youngsters to demonstrate both physical and emotional compassion to others in their

immediate vicinity at all times. The parents of these youngsters may be forced to stand by and

watch as their children slowly but steadily decline into despair as a result of this. Therefore, in

order to prevent their children from being melancholy, parents should devote all of their time and

attention to them.

Types of Depression
Ho, T. C., Connolly, C. G., Blom, E. H., LeWinn, K. Z., Strigo, I. A., Paulus, M. P., ... &

Tapert, S. F. (2015). Emotion-dependent functional connectivity of the default mode

network in adolescent depression. Biological psychiatry, 78(9), 635-646.

The adolescent has different types of depression that exists in consistency with a variety

of lows. All these various types have crucial effects on the individuals that have been going

through these phases and they succumb for the different experiences that change their lives.

Depression has different types of which following are discussed:

a. Major Depression: the sadness that lasts for extended period of time for as long as two

weeks or more is considered as the major depression. Major depression also has various

types such as:

i. Post-partum Depression: it is the type of depression that occurs after a short period after

the giving of birth.

ii. Melancholic Depression: melancholic depression includes insomnia, weight loss and

severe fatigue.

iii. Atypical Depression: this type of depression comprises of excessive sleep as well as the

antisocial behaviors and the person suffering with this type of depression is normally

described as being always indoor.

iv. Seasonal Depression:

b. Dysthymia: In this type of depression a person remains in the state of depression for close to

two years however it is not as severe.

c. Minor Depression.

d. Adjustment Disorder.

Characteristics of a Depressed Adolescent

Piqueras, J. A., María, M.-V., Bonifacio, S., Concepción, S. L., & David, P. (2017). The

Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale: A systematic review and reliability

generalization meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders , 153-169.

There are a variety of approaches that may be used to identify depressed adolescents. A few

examples are shown below. In addition to the features or mannerisms indicated below, a

depressed teenager will display the following behaviors:

a. Young people, regardless of their age, appear to be depressed and irritated on an almost

constant basis, according to research.

b. Additionally, teenagers experience changes in their physical weight as a result of their

changing eating habits and body composition.

c. The adolescent loses interest in activities that they used to find fun at the start of their

relationship. It is as a result of this that they develop antisocial characteristics.

d. As an adolescent grows older, his or her ability to concentrate at school and at home

increasingly deteriorates.

e. Young children frequently express their dissatisfaction with their surroundings, and it is

usual for them to do so on a daily basis.

f. Furthermore, the child's academic performance has worsened to an unacceptably low level,

which must be addressed.

g. The likelihood of them having erratic sleeping patterns increases; for example, they may

spend the entire day sleeping in bed and then awake for the rest of the day, which is not

uncommon.

h. Teenagers are more likely than adults to have suicidal thoughts when they are suffering

from acute depression.

 i. The adolescent becomes obsessed with their prior failures and becomes unhappy as a result

of this obsession.

j. Because of their growing maturity, teenagers' sensitivity to rejection increases significantly.

Possible Remedies to Adolescent Depression

von Glischinski, M., Tobias, T., S., P., Jochen, E. G., & Gerrit, H. (2016).Depressive

symptom inventory suicidality subscale: Optimal cut points for clinical and non‐clinical

samples. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 543-549

&

Piqueras, J. A., María, M.-V., Bonifacio, S., Concepción, S. L., & David, P. (2017). The

Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale: A systematic review and reliability

generalization meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders , 153-169

When a parent or guardian realises that their child is sad, they should take action as soon

as possible. Delay in dealing with this issue may result in suicidal thoughts in teens. Teenagers

have committed suicide as a result of being neglected in a variety of situations. In most cases,

their instructors or parents were preoccupied with other tasks and were unable to assist them

effectively. It is always important for a mother and father to support their child. Every day, they

should engage in conversation with their children. A parent should also encourage their

adolescent kid to communicate with others. They can aid in the prevention and treatment of

depression.

When a parent observes their kid performing a nice deed, they should express their

gratitude to them. Finally, parents should express sorrow to their children while also providing

reassurance. Aggressive parenting is a contributing factor to depression. A parent should

encourage their children to interact with others more. A parent should encourage their adolescent

to make new friends, participate in team-building activities, and participate in sports such as

football, among other things. Parents, on the other hand, should be on the lookout for their child's

bad companions and influences. Such friends should be avoided at all costs, and parents should

urge their children to seek out mates who are well-behaved.

It is also important for guardians to monitor their teen child's social interactions,

particularly with girls. It is important for parents to communicate to their children that early love

experiences such as flirting and dating will be challenging. A parent's frequent reminder to their

teen to get adequate sleep is essential. Teenagers benefit from sleep because it helps them feel

better. In addition, parents should make certain that their children have a consistent sleep routine.

It is reasonable for a parent to be worried if their child appears to be spending more time in bed

than usual. Sleeping patterns are a good sign of depression. Depressed teens tend to sleep a lot

during the day and then stay up all night to cope with their feelings.

When a parent is late in recognizing that their young kid is suffering from depression,

they should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. It is recommended that the parent seek

counselling for their teen. The mother should continue to check in on her children's treatment

sessions. It is very unusual for an adolescent to relapse into depression after having made

significant progress toward recovery. A parent should understand how to recognize depression in

their adolescent children and how to cope with it.

Conclusion

As a result, it is essential for teenagers to have the engagement of both their guardians and their

instructors in their life. These teens are cared for by educators/tutors and their parents, who are
also among the people that spend the most of their time with them. As a result, they should learn

how to deal with challenges that arise in the lives of teenagers as they develop. The sooner

depression in an adolescent's life is recognized and treated, the greater the likelihood of

successful treatment. Parents should not wait until it is too late to intervene on their children's

behalf. In the event that they do not act quickly, their children may become suicidal and commit

bodily harm to themselves and anyone around them.

References:

1. Ames, M. E., & Bonni, e. J. (2018). Depressive symptom trajectories and physical health:
persistence of problems from adolescence to young adulthood.". Journal of affective
disorders, 121-129
2. Assari, S., Ehsan, M.-Z., Cleopatra, H. C., & Marc, A. Z. (2017). Racial discrimination
during adolescence predicts mental health deterioration in adulthood: Gender differences
among Blacks. Frontiers in public health, 104
3. Clayborne, Zahra, M., Melanie, V., & Colman, I. (2019). Systematic review and meta-
analysis: adolescent depression and long-term psychosocial outcomes . Journal of the
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 72-79
4. Johnson, D., Gabrielle, D., Justin, P., Zahra, C., & Ian, C. (2018). Adult mental health
outcomes of adolescent depression: a systematic review. Depression and anxiety, 700-
716
5. Kalin, N. H. (2020). Insights into suicide and depression. . American Journal of
Psychiatry, 877-880
6. Moreira, D. P., & Furegato, A. R. F. (2013). Stress and depression among students of the
last semester in two nursing courses. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 21(SPE),
155-162.
7. O’Conno, M., Ann, V. S., John, W. T., Jacolyn, N., & Craig. A., O. (2017). Does positive
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adulthood? Journal of Happiness Studies, 177-198
8. Oldehinkel, A. J., Ormel, J., Verhulst, F. C., & Nederhof, E. (2014). Childhood
adversities and adolescent depression: A matter of both risk and resilience. Development
and Psychopathology, 26(4pt1), 1067-1075.
9. Piqueras, J. A., María, M.-V., Bonifacio, S., Concepción, S. L., & David, P. (2017). The
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale: A systematic review and reliability
generalization meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders , 153-169
10. Selph, S., & Marian, S. M. (2019). Depression in children and adolescents: Evaluation
and treatment. American family physician, 609-617
11. Srinivas, S. S., Kavin, A., & Chockalingam, &. A. (2018). Self-reported depressive
symptoms in adolescence increase the risk for obesity and high BP in adulthood.
International journal of cardiology, 339-342
12. von Glischinski, M., Tobias, T., S., P., Jochen, E. G., & Gerrit, H. (2016).Depressive

symptom inventory suicidality subscale: Optimal cut points for clinical and non‐clinical

samples. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 543-549