Depression in Young People (part 2)
Robin Williams apparently had several “demons” tormenting him:
- ADHD
- substance abuse
- depression
- bipolar
- obsessive compulsive
and he finally could take it no more and he ended his life several days ago.
Experts estimate that approximately 25% of all women will experience clinical depression in their lifetime and 15% of all men. A typical high school of 1000 students is likely to have 100 kids suffer depression each year.
Depression in young people was not identified by psychiatrists until 1989 but it is now the opinion of some experts that the rate of depression in young people exceeds the rate in adults
There is often a difference in symptoms of depression between adults and teens making diagnosis more difficult for young people:
Typical Symptoms of Depression in Adults:
- tend to be sad
- stay sad
- sleep less
- eat less
- decrease in libido
- no change in anxiety
- no change in physical problems
Frequent Symptoms of Depression in Teens
- tend to be angry, irritable, act out
- cycles in & out frequently
- sleep more
- eat more
- libido seldom impaired
- increased anxiety
- complains of somatic symptoms
The increased irritability for teenager suffering depression results in frequent family conflicts and the important question that needs to be addressed is “are the symptoms just teenage angst or depression”
THE GOOD NEWS – recovery rate for single episode depression is high
THE BAD NEWS – each episode increases the risk for another