Depression in Teen

Why is it that someone with such a beautiful heart prays for it to stop beating
Unknown

(pixabay.com)

Sharmila of age 18 was sitting on the floor lying back on the wall with a razor in her finger. The area around her wrist was covered with multiple cuts and the cuts were bleeding covering her hand in red. She was smiling silently and told & quote I didn’t find another way to make me ownself happy and this gives me satisfaction& quote. Depression is a condition that interferes with concentration, motivation, and the way of thinking towards life makes a person feel as low. Depression is caused by the decreased level or absence of a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) called Serotonin (5-HT3).Nowadays, cases of depression are seen rising at an alarming rate especially in teens which are most vulnerable to such serious medical condition. There are lots of factors that are pushing teens to go through a painful pathway due to lack of understanding of these matters that they have to face during the adolescent period of time giving them the feeling of unwanted, dumped, not worthy, and many other.

Causes of depression in teens:

1. Changes occurring body: Many teens are unaware of many changes that occur during the adolescent period. And
   due to lack of time with elder people, they have to face their problem all alone which makes them vulnerable to
   become the victim of depression.

2. Pressure from school, home and friends: There are many teens who are coping or dealing with low-grade problem,
   constant pressure from school and parents about academic performance which can lead to the breakdown
   of their motivation leading to the victim of depression.

3. Childhood trauma: Traumatic events such as physical abuse or sexual assault, emotional abuse, loss of parents,
   etc. makes the teen more prone to depression.

4. Family history: Teens with a family history of depression is more likely to suffer from depression.

5. The sense of being obese, not good looking, long-term bullying has a negative impact on self-esteem.

6. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in unsupportive environment may lead to depression

7. Physical disability, abusing alcohol, witness of violence, suffering from serious chronic disease like cancer can also
   be the cause of depression.

Symptoms:

Symptoms include the change in the teenager's previous attitude, thinking and behaviour towards home, school, with friends that can be noticed.

1. loss of interest or conflict with family and friends.

2. social isolation, crying for no apparent reason.

3. feeling of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt.

4. fear of rejection and requires excessive reassurance.

5. frustration or anger even on small matters.

6. frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide.

7. insomnia or sleeping too much

8. self-harm for e.g. cutting, burning

9. plans or thoughts of suicide.

Treatment:

Depression is highly treatable. Most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy. These two are done side by side for the better result.

List of medication:

1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: These group of drugs leads to the blocking of reabsorption or reuptake of
   serotonin by certain nerve cell and make serotonin available. e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline.

2. Serotonin and nor epinephrine reuptake inhibitor: It has a dual mechanism of action and makes serotonin and
   norepinephrine more available. e.g. venlafaxine and duloxetine.

3. Tricyclic antidepressant: Amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline are also used but can cause significant side
   effect including orthostatic hypotension, constipation, dry mouth, blur vision etc.

Medication should be used as instructed by the medical practitioner for the better result.

Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy is simply a term used to describe the interaction or talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist
about your condition in front of them.

Types of psychotherapy:

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy: Therapy which helps you to find out the unhealthy, negative behaviours, thoughts, beliefs and replace them with healthy positive ones and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions and thoughts.

2. Acceptance and commitment therapy: It makes you accept and become aware of your thoughts and commit to making positive and healthy thoughts and decision that improves the quality of life.

3. Supportive psychotherapy: It makes you deal or sope up with the problems, thoughts, relations etc

4. Interpersonal psychotherapy

5. Psychodynamic and psychoanalysis therapies.

References

1.www.mayoclinic.com
2.Anxiety and depression association of America
3.www.healthline.com