Analysis of Depressed Adolescence Research Paper

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diverse populations in a study, the implications of crisis/trauma-causing events on adolescent depression, implications of resiliency, the implications of neurobiology, and looks into a relevant development theory. It also covers different categories of adolescent depression. Causes of this problem, available diagnosis techniques, and the best treatment methods are also considered. Its relationship with other health issues, such as obesity and cancer, are also considered. There is a provision of some quantitative information about this problem. This paper also pays attention to important studies other experts have conducted. To some experts, this problem is in no way a medical ailment. There is also emphasis on the role adequate exercises and balanced diets play in curbing depression in adolescents. In conclusion, it is emphasized that a depressed adolescent can turn out to become a very normal and happy individual. The Cognitive Theory of Depression as postulated by Beck gives a description of this dysfunctional condition.

Introduction

Adolescent depression is a common mental and emotional disorder that affects both teens and adolescents. Medically, there is no difference between adult depression and adolescent depression. The symptoms of this condition however manifests differently in adolescents than they do in adults. This can be attributed to the several challenges teens face as they grow older (Brian, 2012). Several ups and downs experienced by these teenagers are affected by sports affiliation, changing hormones, peer pressure, awkward tendencies, developing bodies, and a host of other factors. These variations are mostly indications of depression. Depression is accompanied by symptoms like anxiety, stress, and in worst cases, suicide. This condition can affect every aspect the life of teens-work, school, social, as well as, family life, which can often lead to social isolation and other related problems. The good news, however, is that people affected by depression can easily snap out of it. They won't be able to cheer up without snapping out of it. It is one rare medical condition that is capable of affecting the life of an individual in every way except when it is properly managed. Adult and teens depression can also be referred to as, major depressive disorders. In a summary given by Young (2012), adolescent depression remains a major public health issue. It is therefore important that adolescents suffering mild, moderate, moderately severe, and very severe depression should be given the right help and attention for each stage because the stages are not exactly the same and therefore requires different levels of care.

Implications of Considering Diverse Populations

In a study undertaken across different sections of society across Minnesota, to evaluate obesity and Major Depressive disorder (MDD) correlation, researchers observed the depressive symptoms to emerge at ages as early as 14 in teens that were obese. The phenomenon extended into late adolescence (beyond 10 up to 20) as also among early adults, aged 20-24 years. For girls, obesity posed a greater risk of depression if obese. The risk, however changes over the lifetime, for girls particularly (Marmorstein, Iacano & Legrand, 2014). Park and Rosenstein (2015), although considered cancer and depression separately, they are both still responsible for enormous human suffering on a worldwide scale. In 2008, an estimated 169 million healthy lives were lost due to cancer, worldwide. By the year 2030, the World Health Organization, foresees that major unipolar depression, will be the leading cause of disease. In Denmark, a Danish cancer registry reported that patients over the age of 15 have a higher risk of developing depression, which is severe enough, to get them hospitalized within the first year following a cancer diagnosis.

Williams, Teasdale, Segal, and Cabot-Zinn (2007) opine that about 20% of females and 12% males will encounter serious depression problems at least once in lifetime. They further contend that an incidence of depression is bound to result in another bout of depression.

According to a study conducted by scientists of Stanford University, the girls express their problems by constantly talking about them, crying or otherwise making them known, which makes identification and hence, support and intervention easier than in boys.

Implications of Crisis/Trauma-Causing Events on Depressive Adolescents

According to Stewart et al., 2015, in 2013, more than 1,500 American adolescents committed suicide, making this the second leading cause of death in individuals, whose ages range from 13 to 18 years. For every successful suicide amongst the youth, there are 100-200 failed attempts (Crosby et al., 2011), and, a recent epidemiological study indicated that 4.1% of adolescents make at least one attempt by the age of 18 (Nock et al., 2013).

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Mood disorders, particularly the Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), are well-established risk factors for attempts, and among adolescents with MDD, there is a 6-fold greater risk of suicide attempts as compared to non-depressed youth (Nock et al., 2013). Knowing the disturbing ratios of suicide attempts amid adolescents who have been diagnosed with MDD, recognizing and spotting the core risk factors of suicidal behaviors amid individuals in this age group is essential (Brian, 2012).

Thapar (2012) considers unipolar depression as a major depressive disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. The actual number may be higher, since many affected individuals are never recorded. This type of depression is more notable in girls. It increases stridently subsequent to puberty and towards the extremity of adolescence, the 1 year incidence ratio excels by four percent. Depression leads to serious educational and social impairments.

Skrove et al., (2013) attempted to estimate the occurrence of symptoms that include: anxiety and depression, in a large adolescent population, in addition to exploring the connection of these symptoms with lifestyle factors. Also, the researchers wanted to investigate whether resilience factors weakened the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle factors and indications of anxiety and depression. The researchers found that adolescent depression and anxiety have a direct correspondence with physical inactivity levels as well as substance abuse. Resilience had a marked influence in diminishing the correspondence on symptoms of depression. Social, especially familial support had a role in prevention of negative influences on adolescents, according to the study.

Danielson et al. (2013) did a study to investigate whether catastrophic worry mediates the relationship between adolescent sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms. The outcome of the study firmly established the relationship of sleep disturbance on depression. Sleep disturbance preceded anxiety and depression by a year. Catastrophic worry acted as a catalyst in this correspondence between sleep disturbance and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents.

Resiliency and Depression

Depression can have a profound impact on a person's life, and can only compound the difficulties associated with teenage years. Adolescent depression is not always the easiest condition to spot. However, adolescents can return to being their normal, happy, and optimistic selves with proper treatment (Brian, 2012).

Resilience is described as the positive psychological outcome even in the presence and exposure to risk factors. The factors contributing to resilience are individual, familial and social supportive systems. While healthy self-worth, strong bonds with friends and family contribute to better resilience, social competence has been observed to lead to vices like smoking, drinking and substance abuse. The study found a direct correlation between substance abuse and symptoms of anxiety and depression after accounting for resiliency and social competency factors (Skrove et al., 2013).

Addiction to medication

Johnson (2010) wanted depression to be seen as a part of life and not illness. The physicians likewise treat depression as a part of living and seek to remedy such symptoms by anti-depressants. The commonly prescribed antidepressants, however, lack the affectivity and safety they are credited and widely used for. The results of the work also uncovered that patients find it difficult trying to give up such medications. Over the past few decades, the number of individuals diagnosed with depression has significantly increased. Within 10 years, that statistic has tripled with more than 10% of individuals reporting a major depressive episode. The use of antidepressants has increased with the increase of individuals being diagnosed with depression. However, a particular drug, known as Prozac, is reported to help only 1 child in every 10 children. There were concerns because patients, mainly adults, had become suicidal due to the use of the drug, in addition to getting addicted to the medication (Johnson, 2010). The doctors increasingly prescribe anti-depressants like Prozac, Luvox and Zoloft -- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) to both adults and children. The prevalence and use of the drug can be gauged by the fact that such antidepressants are the most widely sold medicines in America, more than those for blood pressure, cholesterol or common pain (Glenmullen, 2000; Garland, 2004; Gottschilch, 2008). An authority figure in psychopharmocology, Dr. David Healy (2003) opines that there is an established link between Suicidial tendency, addiction and SSRIs.

Implications of Neurobiology

Neurotransmitters can be classified as key brain chemicals that influence the way the brain cells interact with each other. These neurotransmitters and hormones play major roles in the regulation.....

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