Is it Just a Phase? Or Something More? Understanding Depression in Teens

All teenagers get moody and anxious as they go through adolescence, right? Well, while it may be a cliché to think of teens as sad and moody, there may be something making many teen’s lives harder than just changing bodies.

A study on depression in adolescents and young adults, published in the journal Pediatrics, found a startling increase in the amount of young people struggling with depression.

It was found that the number of teens who reported an MDE (Major Depressive Episode) rose from 8.7% in 2005 to a staggering 11.5% in 2014, a 37% increase.

However, after analyzing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, they found no evidence of a corresponding increase in mental health treatment for adolescents. This means that there are potentially hundreds of thousands of young adults struggling every day in a battle with depression in addition to the more than 3 million adolescents between 12-17 who reported an MDE last year.

This is a very real problem, but there are also very real solutions.

If you or someone you love have been feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or angry, even at little things for more than just a couple bad days, there may be steps you can take to help.

Here are some other signs to consider; a depressed person might:

• Not care about things or activities you used to enjoy.
• Have weight loss when you are not dieting or weight gain from eating too much.
• Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleep much more than usual.
• Move or talk more slowly.
• Feel restless or have trouble sitting still.
• Feel very tired or like you have no energy.
• Feel worthless or very guilty.
• Have trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions.
• Think about dying or suicide or try suicide.

Everyone experiences depression a little differently, so there is not a definitive list of symptoms. However, the best thing you can do is be aware, be active, and be informed about the severity and nature of depression.

Depression is not the results of a character flaw or personal weakness. If you or a loved one is struggling, contact Amen Clinics today or call (888) 288-9834.