Characteristics
DIAGNOSIS
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision outlines the following criteria as necessary for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder to be made (DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2000):
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities.
3. Significant unintentional weight loss or gain.
4. Insomnia or sleeping too much.
5. Agitation or psychomotor retardation noticed by others.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy.
7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
9. Recurrent thoughts of death
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision outlines the following criteria as necessary for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder to be made (DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2000):
- Two or more major depressive episodes
- Diagnostic criteria:
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities.
3. Significant unintentional weight loss or gain.
4. Insomnia or sleeping too much.
5. Agitation or psychomotor retardation noticed by others.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy.
7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
9. Recurrent thoughts of death
SYMPTOMS
Emotional
Emotional
- Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason
- Irritability, frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
- Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak
- Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
- Tiredness and loss of energy
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite, such as decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
- Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse
- Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
- Neglected appearance — such as mismatched clothes and unkempt hair
- Disruptive or risky behavior
- Self-harm, such as cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing
CAUSES
It's not known exactly what causes depression. A variety of factors may be involved. These include:
RISK FACTORS
Many factors increase the risk of developing or triggering teen depression, including:
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your teen's life. Complications related to teen depression can include:
It's not known exactly what causes depression. A variety of factors may be involved. These include:
- Biological chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. When these chemicals are out of balance, it may lead to depression symptoms.
- Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
- Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose biological (blood) relatives also have the condition.
- Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events during childhood, such as physical or emotional abuse, or loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that make a person more susceptible to depression.
- Learned patterns of negative thinking. Teen depression may be linked to learning to feel helpless — rather than learning to feel capable of finding solutions for life's challenges.
RISK FACTORS
Many factors increase the risk of developing or triggering teen depression, including:
- Having issues that negatively impact self-esteem, such as obesity, peer problems, long-term bullying or academic problems
- Having been the victim or witness of violence, such as physical or sexual abuse
- Having other conditions, such as an anxiety disorder, anorexia or bulimia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning disabilities
- Having a chronic medical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
- Having few friends or other personal relationships
- Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Abusing alcohol, nicotine or other drugs
- Being a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in males
- Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender — becoming socially isolated or experiencing bullying may increase the risk of depression
- Having a parent, grandparent or other biological (blood) relative with depression, bipolar disorder or alcoholism
- Having a family member who committed suicide
- Having a dysfunctional family and conflict
- Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as parental divorce, parental military service or the death of a loved one
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your teen's life. Complications related to teen depression can include:
- Low self-esteem
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Academic problems
- Family conflicts and relationship difficulties
- Social isolation
- Involvement with the juvenile justice system
- Suicide
Help parents learn more:
A Family Guide: What Families Need to Know About Adolescent Depression
Click HERE
A Family Guide: What Families Need to Know About Adolescent Depression
Click HERE
Help students explore:
"Are you depressed or just sad?: The Major Depressive Disorder Quiz"
Click HERE
"Are you depressed or just sad?: The Major Depressive Disorder Quiz"
Click HERE
The videos below provide additional information about depression in youth:
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*What are the warning signs for teen suicide?
Family difficulties, the loss of a loved one, or perceived failures at school or relationships can all lead to negative feelings and depression. And teen depression often makes problems seem overwhelming and the associated pain unbearable. Suicide is an act of desperation and teen depression is often the root cause.
Warning signs of suicide with teen depression include:
- Expressing hopelessness for the future
- Giving up on one's self, talking as if no one else cares
- Preparing for death, giving away favorite possessions, writing goodbye letters, or making a will
- Starting to use/abuse drugs or alcohol to aid sleep or for relief from their mental anguish
- Threatening to kill one's self
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline immediately. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or 911 if a teen is in immediate danger.
References
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2008). Managing depressive symptoms in substance abuse clients during early recovery. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 48.) Appendix D—DSM-IV-TR Mood Disorders. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64063/
Discovery Communications, LLC. (2013). Are you depressed or just sad?: Major Depressive Disorder quiz. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/depression/facts/major-depressive-disorder-quiz.htm.
Knopf, D., Park, J., & Mulye, T. (2008). The mental health of adolescents: A national profile; National Adolescent Health Information Center. Retrieved from http://nahic.ucsf.edu/download/the-mental-health-of-adolescents-a-national-profile/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2013). Teen depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-depression/DS01188/DSECTION=symptoms
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2010). Depression in children and adolescents fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88551
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2010). What families need to know about adolescent depression. Arlington, VA: NAMI
National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Major depressive disorder in children. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1mdd_child.shtml
WebMD. (2013). Depression health center. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2008). Managing depressive symptoms in substance abuse clients during early recovery. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 48.) Appendix D—DSM-IV-TR Mood Disorders. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64063/
Discovery Communications, LLC. (2013). Are you depressed or just sad?: Major Depressive Disorder quiz. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/depression/facts/major-depressive-disorder-quiz.htm.
Knopf, D., Park, J., & Mulye, T. (2008). The mental health of adolescents: A national profile; National Adolescent Health Information Center. Retrieved from http://nahic.ucsf.edu/download/the-mental-health-of-adolescents-a-national-profile/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2013). Teen depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-depression/DS01188/DSECTION=symptoms
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2010). Depression in children and adolescents fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88551
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2010). What families need to know about adolescent depression. Arlington, VA: NAMI
National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Major depressive disorder in children. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1mdd_child.shtml
WebMD. (2013). Depression health center. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression