The Teenage Brain
Adolescence is ONE of the times in an individuals life when the greatest brain development is occurring.
- the brain changes in size and shape
- grey matter thickens
- increase in synaptic connections between brain cells
- specialization within the brain occurs
- “pruning” of neural pathways occurs
- sex hormones impact the brain
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that facilitate the transmission of messages along nerve cells (billions of messages per second).
The primary neurotransmitters involved with depression are:
- serotonin
- dopamine
- norepinephrine
THE DISREGULATION OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS IS A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR TO DEPRESSION.
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Developmental tasks during adolescence
- adjust to physical changes
- separate from their parents
- develop a social network
- begin to focus on educational and vocational objectives
- develop a sexual identity
All of the above is a lot to expect in a few short years of adolescence = STRESS
“Stress” has a significant effect on parts of the brain involved in the regulation and control of emotions.
Stressful events are among the strongest precipitants of initial episodes of major depression.
DEPRESSION IS A MALFUNCTION OF STRESS MANAGEMENT