Teen Depression and Suicide

Adolescent depression is a serious problem affecting 10.7% of all teens and 29.9% of high school students; 17% of high school students have contemplated suicide. Yet, depression in teens is often unrecognized. This article relays the tragic death of a 17-year-old, along with symptoms of depression and suicide in adolescents; DSM-5 criteria for depression; treatments including protective factors, psychotherapy, and medications; and imparts interventions for addressing this huge but silent crisis.

SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

At some point, most of us have, or will experience sadness. However, sadness is usually short-lived. When a person suffers with depression, it can affect work, school, eating, and the ability to enjoy life over an extended period. It is imperative to make the distinction between sadness and clinical depression; when depression is recognized, needed treatment can be obtained.

Depression can affect one's ability to do the simplest things, such as waking up in the morning, brushing your teeth, going to school or work, and eating a meal. Depressed feelings make it hard to function normally, focus, and participate in once-enjoyable activities. Depressed feelings result in little to no motivation or energy, making it hard to get through each day.

Symptoms of depression range from feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry, cranky, or frustrated; to weight loss or gain; to thinking about dying and/or having suicidal thoughts. In addition to recognizing symptoms of depression, it is important to acknowledge that each person experiences depression in his own way. Even though someone may not have all the classic symptoms of depression, he or she may still be clinically depressed.

source: https://journals.lww.com/journalofchristiannursing/fulltext/2016/04000/teen_depression_and_suicide__a_silent_crisis.9.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3xkXHzoD-xK8gHoCUVLewTTNQYv1SOW_UKXPJIECFgPCD9KBPRfryGYOM