Teenage Depression
Teenage depression may be difficult to identify. This is because antisocial behavior, sulkiness, irritability, negativity and withdrawal are often part of growing up. One sign of this condition in adolescents is morbid obsession with death and dying. The teenager can become extremely scared of being separated from his or her parents. This can make him or her to lose interest in playing or in interacting with the peers.
Children and teens become depressed in the same way as adults. The treatment is also similar to the one that is used in treating adults. A recent study by the Queen Elizabeth Medical Center in Western Australia revealed that depressed children believed that happiness is acquired through fame, money and beauty. The study involved 400 children aged between 9 and 16.
Some symptoms of teenage depression are a decline in performance at school as well as change in personal hygiene and appearance. Defiant behavior and hallucinations or unusual beliefs are other indicators. Other symptoms include considerable change in appetite and weight, restlessness and the belief that life is not worth living. Complains of feeling tired all the time and feelings of guilt are other symptoms.
Some of the causes of this condition in teenagers include social rejection, family problems and failing or performing poorly at school. Antidepressants are prescribed for teenagers with this condition. There is however no definitive proof that these medications are effective in treating teenage depression. There are chemical changes between adults and children. The chemical imbalance is what is treated by antidepressants.
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