Teenage depression
depression; suicide; mood; moods; stress; down; dysthymia; hopelessness; feelings; teenager; sad; myths; stresses; safety; death; risk; anger; angry; anxiety; depressed; unhappy; crisis; bipolar; disorder ;
Contents
Young people go through many different feelings and moods as they're growing up and parents are often unsure about whether this is normal or whether they should do something. Young people can feel depressed for all sorts of reasons and their depression can vary from having 'moods' and feeling a bit 'down' or 'blue' for a little while, to feeling overwhelming sadness and hopelessness. Some will even feel suicidal.
Most young people have mood swings and times when they feel very unhappy in adolescence, but it is important to be aware that up to 24% of young people suffer a major depressive illness lasting a few weeks to a few months at some time. Being 'down' most of the time is not normal. Depression in young people is often not recognised. The type of help and support young people receive can make a real difference.
Although it is often difficult to communicate with someone who is feeling very low and words may not come easily, it is important that you don't ignore your child's feelings or leave them to deal with their situation alone. Knowing that friends and family really care and are willing to give support can be the first vital step in getting better.
Alert!
If someone is saying that he or she wants to commit suicide right now - treat this very seriously.
- Stay with the person until the person is safe - in the care of a professional team.
- You could ring the emergency department of a hospital for advice, or call police/ambulance (000 in Australia).
- In South Australia
- Flinders Medical Centre 08 8204 5511 and the The Women's and Children's hospital (08 8161 7000) have psychiatrists on duty.
- Emergency and Crisis Intervention Service (people over 18 years) 13 14 65.
- Crisis Care (after hours) 13 16 11.
Types of depression
Depression can be grouped into three main types.
- Depressed mood
- Dysthymia
- Major depression
Depressed mood
- A depressed mood doesn't usually interfere with daily activities.
- This is when a person is feeling sad or 'blue' and is an emotion common to people of all ages.
- The feeling usually results from minor problems or a loss, eg a broken date or criticism etc.
- People usually feel better after talking about the problem with someone close to them or after doing something they enjoy.
Dysthymia
- Dysthymia is a type of mild depression that can last for many months in young people. A person with dysthymia may:
- Gradually lose interest in things they have enjoyed doing and appear to be more 'down' most of the time
- Have less energy and find it difficult to concentrate
- Have trouble with eating and sleeping
- They commonly feel bad about themselves and have less confidence and enjoyment in their lives
- Dysthymia is more serious than just a depressed mood alone, and professional assessment and help may be very useful.
Major depression
Major depression is an illness in which a person has a severely depressed mood and no longer enjoys his life. It usually comes on fairly rapidly and may be triggered by a major stressful event such as a death or a broken relationship. However major depression may also be triggered by something that seems minor, or there may be no obvious cause.
A teenager with a major depression may show some of the following signs:
- loss of interest or enjoyment in his usual activities
- changed eating patterns with weight gain or weight loss
- severe sleeping problems
- low energy levels
- poor concentration with school work or other things
- loss of interest in being with friends
- not wanting to go out
- feeling hopeless or worthless
- being sad or tearful
- being angry or irritable a lot of the time
- feeling guilty and to blame for things going wrong
- increasing drug and alcohol use
- not taking care of how he looks or of hygiene
- excessive worry about physical health
- complaints about constant headaches, stomach aches and other physical pains
- carelessness about physical safety
- behaviour problems and delinquency
- having thoughts about being better off dead or that life is not worth living (see signs listed under Suicide risk factors)
- preoccupation with death and suicide.
Bipolar disorder
About 3% of the adult population have bipolar disorder. Many of these adults had episodes of depression when they were children or adolescents. For more information have a look at the topic 'Bipolar disorder' on the Young Adult Health section of this site.
Young people at risk
Depression can affect anyone, but some young people are more likely to become depressed if:
- they have a close relative who has suffered from depression (when even a 'minor' stress might trigger depression)
- they have had a major life stress or several stresses.
A major life stress can be a family break-up, school failure, child abuse, loss of a parent, accident, broken relationship or moving to another area.
Suicide risk factors
Stresses that sound small to adults may be very important to young people and should be taken seriously. Telling a person who is upset that their worry is 'about nothing' only makes things worse. They feel that no one understands and this increases their sense of being alone in the world. Suicide attempts in young people are often triggered by recent stress. It is not just the new stress but a combination of feelings and events that usually leads them to take action.
The following things may mean that a young person is seriously thinking about taking his life:
- talk or threats of suicide
- hints such as "I won't be a problem for you much longer"
- previous attempts - especially if the person was alone at the time
- careless, risk taking, behaviour
- self-destructive behaviour
- sad or angry mood that does not go away
- giving away personal possessions
- suddenly clearing out belongings and getting them in order
- becoming suddenly cheerful without reason after being depressed.
If you notice these things happening you need to take action to keep your child safe. See your doctor to discuss your concerns or contact any of the agencies listed below under Where to get help
Myths about suicide
There are a number of common sayings about suicide that are incorrect, such as:
- People who talk about suicide won't do it. Almost everyone who commits suicide gives some clue or warning.
- Anyone who tries to commit suicide must be crazy. It isn't as simple as this. Suicidal thinking isn't necessarily a sign of mental illness. In young people depression is almost always behind suicidal thinking. Often no one has realised that the young person was depressed.
- If people really want to kill themselves nothing will stop them. What they usually want is for the pain to stop. The feeling of wanting to end it all doesn't last forever. In fact, sometimes it doesn't last for long at all, particularly if things in the person's life change.
- People who complete suicide don't seek help before their death. More than half of the people who commit suicide have been to their doctor for help in the six months before their death, though they may not tell their doctor they are thinking of suicide.
- Talking/asking about suicide may give someone the idea. The opposite is true. Discussing suicide openly helps people talk about their feelings and to look for other ways to stop the pain.
What parents can do
All situations are different. When young people are suffering with depression they are not always able to ask for help and may even refuse your help at times. This can be difficult because you feel as if you're being rejected.
It is important that you:
- Never treat depression as if it is simply teenage 'blues' - always take it seriously.
- Encourage your child to seek help by providing a list of contacts for her to choose from.
- If your teenager won't go for help and you are really worried, go by yourself first and get some advice about how to best handle the situation.
- Show love and concern - this doesn't mean that you have to agree with everything your child does or wants to do, but young people need to know that you still love them no matter who they are or what they do.
- Take time to listen when your teenager wants to talk about her feelings.
- Show her that you are available without being 'pushy'.
- Encourage her to do things you know she enjoys.
- Notice the little things she does that you approve of.
- Make sure that you do not keep a gun in your home or shed. (Farmers need to be very careful about where they store guns because this is the method often used in youth suicides in country areas.)
- Take seriously any talk about suicide and actions such as giving away special things. Do whatever is needed to protect your child's safety - even if it is against her wishes.
Taking care of yourself
Parenting a teenager who is under severe stress or suffering depression can be very stressful. At times it may seem as if your child is deliberately not trying or misbehaving.
When you find yourself feeling angry or frustrated (and you will!):
- Take a step back and think about what is happening before you react.
- Remember to hang in there, your child needs your love even if she seems to reject it.
- Think about your own views:
- Are you wondering "Why should I have to put up with this terrible behaviour?" This thinking will make the situation worse.
- Are you thinking "Something must be wrong for my child to be behaving like this"? This thinking will lead to a search for the cause.
- Ask people close to you for support.
- Ask someone the young person is close to (eg another relative) to help provide support - but make sure your child knows that you're not rejecting her.
- Make sure you do things for yourself - you need to take care of your own needs if you're to help your child.
- Get professional help for yourself if you feel you are struggling.
Where to get help
- There is a range of different treatments for depression varying from counselling and therapy to group and peer support or a combination of these. Antidepressant medication is not recommended for young teenagers.
- The right treatment will depend on the individual's needs and situation. It is important to persist until the right support is found as often young people are particular about who they will talk to.
- The following organisations or people may be of some help in either providing treatment or referring you to where you can get help for your son or daughter.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- Your doctor
- Youth Health Services
- Community Health Centres
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Counsellors specialising in working with depressed young people.
- Parents can sometimes be wary about bringing their concerns out in the open for fear of what others will think. It is important that you don't allow this fear to stop you from getting the best support you need to help your child.
- It may be hard to get counselling help, since there are not many psychologists, psychiatrists or doctors trained in working with teenagers. The Australian National University has developed MoodGym which is an Internet based support service that can be tailored to each person see http://moodgym.anu.edu.au
Resources
South Australia
- Flinders Medical Centre - telephone (08) 8204 5511
Women's and Children's Hospital - telephone (08) 8161 7000
(both hospitals have a psychiatrist available at all times)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
- Northern region - telephone: 8161 7389
- Southern region - telephone: 8204 5412
- Mental Health Emergency Service (if over 18 years)
- telephone 13 14 65 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- Youth Healthline
- telephone 1300 13 17 19 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- Crisis Care (after hours) 13 16 11
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Directory of Mental Health Services. University of Adelaide Library - click here
- Auseinet: Australian Network for pomotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health (South Australia)
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/index.php
Australia
References
Borowsky, IW, Ireland M, and Resnick, MD, 'Adolescent Suicide Attempts: Risks and Protectors', Pediatrics Vol. 107, No. 3, March 2001, pp. 485-493.
Ellis P M & Smith D A R, 'Treating depression: The beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care.' Medical Journal of Australia 2002, 20 May, Vol 176 Supplement 10, S77-83.
www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_10_200502/ell10082_fm.html
Written in partnership
Child and Youth Health - Parenting SA - Southern Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Related Parent Easy Guide (Parenting SA website - PDF format)
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.