Clinical Depression In Teens

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Clinical depression is a common yet serious illness that affects many teens in the United States. They may “get into trouble at school, be negative and irritable, and feel misunderstood” (“Depression in Teens,” 2011). Boys and girls are equally likely to develop some form of depression and it often continues into adulthood if left untreated during childhood (“Depression in Teens,” 2011). Because many teens don’t even recognize that the way they feel is caused by a depressive disorder, they never have the opportunity to help themselves. Teenage depression can often lead to suicide. Doctors report an increase in serious and difficult cases due to teenagers experiencing more depression and anxiety than they did a decade or more ago (Corderoy, …show more content…

If a teen feels a constant sadness they should talk to their primary doctor and consider seeing a therapist. Therapists are able to help teens learn how to identify unpleasant thinking patterns, acknowledge and change inaccurate beliefs, relate to others in more positive ways, and alter behaviors accordingly (“Psychotherapies,” 2011). Not all teens may feel comfortable with talking to a person that they don’t know, but with time it could get easier and end up being a life-changing experience. A therapist helps to manage teen’s depressive symptoms better in order to function at the best of their ability throughout everyday life (“Psychotherapies,” 2011). Seeing a therapist is a solution that teens with clinical depression should consider for further diagnosis and treatment of their …show more content…

Antidepressant medications, without any alternative treatment, are estimated to “relieve the symptoms of 60–70% of clinically depressed people” (Wells, 2013). Not all antidepressants are the same in the fact that they affect everyone differently. If a teen tries a medication and it seems to not help, they should tell a doctor who will then decide what to change in order to provide them with the results they need. Because of the side effects of antidepressants, not all parents may agree to allowing their teens to take these medications. Possible side effects include worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations (“Depression in Teens,” 2011). However, results of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 proposed that the benefits of antidepressant medications distinctly outweigh their risks to teens with depression (“Depression in Teens,” 2011). Although taking prescription drugs can be an apprehensive decision, they have been proven to help many teens cope with

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