Depression is Becoming More Common among Teens in the United States
The number of adolescents and young adults in the United States dealing with untreated depression may be on the rise according to recent studies.
For teens 12-17 years of age, rates of depression increased from 8.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2014. For young adults 18-25 years of age, rates of depression increased from 8.8% to 9.6%. While the increase in depression among teens and young adults is concerning, what is also worrisome is that there hasn’t been much change in the number of teens and young adults seeking out treatment.
Teens and young adults are often not telling their parents and/or doctors about depressive symptoms. They may feel embarrassed or scared to talk about it for a variety of reasons, but they might also be uneducated as to what depressive symptoms look like and therefore unable to personally identify them. It would be helpful for parents, pediatricians, and school and college counseling services to do the following:
Increase efforts to identify teens and young adults with mental health issues
Provide education to teens and young adults on how to identify the potential presence of a mental health issue
Open up communication in a way that allows teens and young adults to feel more comfortable sharing any concerns they may have about symptoms related to depression or other mental health issues.
Symptoms of depression seen in teens and young adults:
Given the importance of understanding key symptoms associated with depression in teens and young adults, the Mayo Clinic has provided the following information on emotional and behavior changes related to depression that can manifest in these particular age groups:
Emotional changes
Be alert for emotional changes, such as:
Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason
Feeling hopeless or empty
Irritable or annoyed mood
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
Low self-esteem
Feelings of worthlessness or 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
Behavioral changes
Watch for changes in behavior, such as:
Tiredness and loss of energy
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Changes in appetite — 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
Social isolation
Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
Neglected appearance
Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors
Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing
Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt
When to seek professional help and emergency help:
Seeking out help from trained mental health professionals is very important when dealing with various mental health issues, including depression, as symptoms can worsen over time without treatment. The Mayo Clinic also offers the following information on what is and isn’t “normal” teen sadness, when to seek out help and what to do if you, a friend or family member is suicidal:
What's normal and what's not
It can be difficult to tell the difference between ups and downs that are just part of being a teenager and teen depression. Talk with your teen. Try to determine whether he or she seems capable of managing challenging feelings, or if life seems overwhelming.
When to see a doctor
If depression symptoms continue or begin to interfere in your teen's life, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional trained to work with adolescents. Your teen's family doctor or pediatrician is a good place to start. Or your teen's school may recommend someone.
Depression symptoms likely won't get better on their own — and they may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated. Depressed teenagers may be at risk of suicide, even if signs and symptoms don't appear to be severe.
If you're a teen and you think you may be depressed — or you have a friend who may be depressed — don't wait to get help. Talk to a health care provider such as your doctor or school nurse. Share your concerns with a parent, a close friend, a spiritual leader, a teacher or someone else you trust.
When to get emergency help
Suicide is often associated with depression. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:
Call your mental health specialist
Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Seek help from your primary care doctor or other health care provider
Reach out to a close friend or loved one
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community
If a loved one or friend is in danger of attempting suicide or has made an attempt:
Make sure someone stays with that person
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately
Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room
Never ignore comments or concerns about suicide. Always take action to get help.
Additional Resources:
If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.
If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), available 24 hours a day, or the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
