1. DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental health disorder. It is characterized by a consistent feeling of sadness that
may affect the way one thinks, acts, feels and approaches situations.
Depression is a complex issue with a psychological, sociological, genetic and biological basis. It’s
hence important to treat it from all angles that include medication, a healthy support system, self-
developmentand a positive environment. Contrary to what most people believe,depression is not
simply emotional instability/sadness.Depression is a disorder with a scientificand biological basis
as well.
What are the social and emotional factors that could cause depression in teenagers?
Psychological and sociological factors cannot be definedaccurately due to their subjective nature.
An issue that bothers and triggers reactions in another person may seem trivial to them but not to
another person. There is no scale to measure the degree to which a certain situation will affect a
person.
Research has shown that having dealt with/dealingwith the followingmay increase the risk and
possibilityof depression in adolescents.
Early childhood trauma - traumatic events during childhood such as physical abuse, emotional
abuse or sexual abuse, loss of a parent, parental negligence
Issues that negatively impact self-esteem such as - obesity, peer problems, peer pressure, social
isolation, long-term bullying,academic pressure or academic problems
Conditions such as an anxiety disorder, anorexia or bulimia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) or learning disabilities
A chronic medical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteemor being overly dependent,self-critical or
pessimistic
What is the biological basis of depression?

2. We often associate depression with the result of a stressful life event. Although this is possible and
occurs in many individuals,several times depression occurs with no apparent reason or cause.
Environmental factors, personal factors and biological factors contribute in developing
depression.
Thus, there is a strong biological basis for depression.
Depression has been described as a chemical imbalance in the brain. The lack of neuro transmitter
serotonin (chemical) was believedto be the major cause. However, recent studies have proved that
there is much more going on, beyond a simple increase or decrease in chemicals. It’s believedthat
genetics, medical issues and many other forces interact together to biologicallycontribute to
developingdepression.
Studies have found that those diagnosed with the disease have a smaller hippocampus (region of
the brain, deals with emotion) that decreases in size as the disease prolongs in the individual.
Areas of the brain affected are the -
Every part of our body is controlled by genes. Therefore, if a sibling, close relative or parent has
been through depression, it increases the chances of developingthe disorder. Presence of a
particular pair of genes increases the possibility of depression under stressful life events.
What are some symptoms of depression?
Symptoms to look out for -
1. Feelingsof guilt, worthlessness, helplessnessor hopelessness
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activitiesor hobbies (Sports, art etc.)
3. Difficulty in concentrating and complaints of poor memory
4. Sleepdisturbances, insomnia or oversleeping

3. 5. Angry outbursts or agitation
6. Anxiety
7. Appetite changes leading to weight gain or loss
8. Fatigue or lack of energy
9. Thoughts about suicide or death
10. Slow speech, movements and thinking
11. Problems in school (fallinggrades, getting into trouble, not paying attention in class)
12. Low self-esteem
Depression in some individualsmay present itself as physical symptoms. These include back and
joint aches, fevers,sweating and abdominal pain.
The most important aspect to look out for is recurrence of symptoms and its continuation for long
periods of time.
A person who is upset is not necessarily depressed. Similarly, someone who laughs a lot or is seen
as ‘happy’ could also have depression.
The symptoms mentioned above cannot alone be used to diagnose an individual.Persistent
occurrence of these symptoms only highlightsthe possibilityof depression.
Only a medical professional can provide a thorough diagnosis.
Puberty is characterized by hormonal changes that may result in erratic behavior in teenagers.
Mood swings and angry outbursts are prevalent and quite common. Peers and parents often
misread the signs of depression and disregard them, as they think they are just reactions of
adolescence, and is normal for teenagers to act that way. They misunderstand and wrongly
interpret a ‘depressive behavior’ as ‘part of adolescence’. It is crucial to understand and identify
the differences and demarcate between normal changes in puberty and features of depression
which are not as intense and severe.
Why aren’t we addressing depression?
According to suicide.org, a teen takes his/her life every 100 minutes. Suicide is a possible result of
depression leftuntreated. It is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.
Approximately 20 percent of teens experience depression of varying intensitiesor have signs of
depression before they reach adulthood, and between 10 to 15 percent suffer from symptoms at
any one time. Only 30 percent of depressed teens are being treated for it.
The social stigma and discrimination associated with depressionand other mental health disorders,
is a major cause of negligence and lack of administration by parents, familiesor friends.It is seen as
something that may bring shame to the family or community; it is deemed embarrassing, and kept

4. behind closed doors. Another misconception is that depression along with several mental health
issues can be controlled by the individual by himself/herself because it is do with emotion and
mental stability that is perceived to be in our complete control. But that is not the case. Medical
assistance and counseling is beneficial.
Mental health issuesare socially stigmatized. It is crucial to understand the consequences of not
reaching out for help because of the discrimination and stigma. These consequences could be life
threatening.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the disorder completely and get necessary help
without hesitation or holding back. There should be no questioning approaching a professional for
the above mentioned reasons. Mental health issues are health issues like any other. There are
effective solutions available. With medication, psychotherapy, or combined treatment, most youth
with depression can be effectivelytreated.
Why is it important to treat teen depression?
Depression is often trivializedand seen as a minor issue. It’s considered by many as a phase that will
pass or a bad mood. ‘Cheer up’ ‘It’ll pass, it’s just a phase’ and ‘happiness is a choice’ are often
quoted in the context.
Depression is neither a choice nor is it just a phase.
Depression is neither a sign of weakness nor is it a personality flaw.
We need to tackle this issue at the middle and high school level because -
1. It could potentially manifest into something more severe in later stages of the person’s life.
2. Identifyingand addressing them at this stage is essential to all round development of an
individual.
3. Teenage years shape one’s perceptions, personality and outlook. These prime years are crucial
for developinga sense of self and identity.Adolescence is a period during which one attains
physical and mental maturity and builds a foundation. Mental illnessescould deprive them of
experiencesor opportunities to achieve. However, most teenagers who recover from a mental
illnesstend to emerge stronger and more motivated.

5. Is it true that people with depression are always sad or alone? There is actually no such thing.
Teenagers with depression don’t necessarily have to seem ‘sad’ all the time. Sometimes, people
may choose to not show the world how they are really feelinginside.Depression is not synonymous
with ‘sadness’. Someone dealingwith depressionmay have many other symptoms and feelingsthat
do not indicate ‘sadness’ per se.
It is also for this reason that, we must avoid and encourage others to avoid the extremely casual
usage of the word ‘depressed’. Being depressed is synonymous with the medical condition of
depression. The casual and callous usage of the word begins to make us think that depression and
sadness are actually the same thing. When we think of depression as sadness, we minimize or
trivialize the illness,and address it like we would address sadness. We don’t realize or acknowledge
the many other symptoms depression creates, and they go unattended. We begin expect people to
get over it quickly. But people with depressioncan’t just ‘get over it’.
Sadness must not be confused with depression. Sadness is a passing feeling,whereas depression is
a mental illness.

6. When we understand depression as sadness alone, we may think or say anything from “What do
you have to be depressed about?” to “Happiness is a choice” to “But it’s all in your mind” to “Well,
everyone gets depressed sometimes” to “Go out and get some fresh air… that always makes me
feel better” to “You don’t like feelingthat way? So, change it,” And when they don’t, we lose
patience and run out of compassion. We begin blame the person for not snapping out of it, for not
trying hard enough or for not being motivated enough.
Many people think that since depression is a mental health issue, it is in the full control of the
person affected by it, and therefore he/she should be able to control their thoughts or symptoms
by themselves. And, in a way they are responsible for their depression. However, depression is not
always in ones complete control. Although there are people who have managed their depression by
themselves,medical intervention is required in most cases, because depressionhas a strong
biological basis. It is advisable to speak to a counselor or a psychiatrist to determine the best way to
deal with the issue, and devise a plan that is suitable to the teens’ needs and is optimal for
recovery.

7. Is it true that depression affects only females?No. It isn’t. Although statistically speaking it is more
likelyto affect females,males could also develop depression. Depressionhas no gender;it is an
illnessthat can affect anyone regardless of gender or sex.
The period of transition from depressedstate to a healthy state is when the person is most
vulnerable.
It is during this phase that peers and family must be cautious about his/her whereabouts. The
reason being that - depression drains ones’ energy and during recovery, this energy is being brought
back which is unusual to the person. The person feelssudden changes in his/her mind and body,
which while adjusting to, could cause a relapse or to take drastic measures they previouslywanted
to but couldn’t.
I think my child/friend is going through depression. What do I do?
Familiesare often in denial when their child is diagnosed with a mental illness. When they suspect
something is wrong, denial, disbelief or the fear of being stigmatized or ruining the ‘family name’,
most often end in the issue not being addressed properly/at all.
Familiesare often unable to understand things from a child’s perspective. They think he/she will
‘get over it’. They might assume that things are as they were when they were younger being that
these disorders don’t exist in youth, without taking into account the changes in society today and

8. the new challenges young adults face.
A family member/parent/friend may take the followingsteps when their child is diagnosed or
showing symptoms of depression -
1. UNDERSTAND
Educate yourself. It’s crucial that parents/families have sufficientknowledge about the issue. The
parent or family member can personally speak to counselors or professionalsin the fieldto
understand the illnessbetter.
It’s advisable for every parent or caretaker to have a basic idea on mental health issuesthat
commonly affect teenagers, to make themselves more aware and prepared to deal with them.
If you think your friendis going through depression, try to learn about it so you can understand
him/her and empathize with them.
2. ACCEPT
Acknowledge and accept the possibility/diagnosisof your teenager/friend having an illness.
Accepting is the first step towards recovery. A parent/friend must empathize with his/her child.
People dealing with depression should not at any cost be blamed for their illness or be told that
they brought it upon themselves. It’s important to accept and understand the diagnosis as well as
the facts surrounding the mental illness.
3. REACH OUT
Seek help from professionals in the fieldor others in a position to provide guidance and support. At
this stage, it’s of utmost importance to leave behind any inhibitions or concerns about ‘what
people will say’ and reach out without holding back. If you’re a friend, then you must speak to
professionals or familymembers of the person you suspect is going through depression,to properly
determine further course of action. There are a range of treatments available for depression.
Encourage them to talk about their feelings and open up about their situation.

9. A note from Mrs.Maria Celine Liya
Counselling psychologist, specializing in adolescents
Life skills coaching (M.Sc.), Mastersin Clinical Hypnotherapy
“Depression is an uninvited guest that doesn't call in advance of its arrival or knocks on your
door; it slips right in, unbidden, and stays (for as long as you think it has to) But, if one chooses to
treat it as just another life style disorder, with medication and care, it's completely possible for
one to function normally.
As a society, we fail in nearly every vein in the mental health department. We don’t talk about it
enough, we don’t provide enough resources, and we pay attention to neither the significance nor
the worst possible outcomes. We as an audience see only one part of depression. We rarely see
that same person with depression smiling or laughing. We hardly ever see this person going to
work, paying bills, or just — plain and simple — living his or her life. The flashes or waves of
depression are what are most often left out when society or the entertainment business attempts
to depict depression.
Depression is more than crying yourself to sleep at night, thanks to the portrayal by the media.
But most people don’t understand this, which can make living with depression even more
difficult. Family and friends often don’t see anything besides the extreme representations of
depression, and therefore choose to believe that, when someone doesn't show signs of this,
they’re not truly depressed. To be depressed and not be taken seriously can cause one to be
caught in a permanent and desperate state of seeking validation.
Sometimes all anyone needs is for others to know what they’re going through so they can feel
even minimally less alone. More than all the sympathy you get, it's empathy that matters and
gives you that hope to pull through. As hard as it is to accept, there is not always an immediate
solution to an individual’s depression. More often than not, people have to work things out on
their own. But from the moment our formal education begins, we’re taught that there’s always an
answer, whether it follows a formula or whether it’s something we make up ourselves. It weighs
heavy on the conscience when people feel like they have to stomach the reality that there’s
nothing that they can do besides lend their love and ear when it’s needed. Those individuals can
try to take solace in the fact that the pain they feel is probably nowhere near the depression that
their friend feels.
Whereas, Family on the other hand, are usually in denial and with it comes some amount of
blame. They are unable to empathize and blame it on the inability to deal with 'challenges' life

10. throws at you. Also, not every 'depressed' person fully accepts this change, there are social stigmas
attached to it, and not everyone likes to be tagged. Revealing the plot of your story would give
away that tiny shred of control, or the illusion of control, that you so desperately feel that you
need just to get by. But, if you accept it as a part of a life style disorder, and learn to deal with it
effectively, it might not be a permanent problem but a change that helped you understand a lot of
things better.
As a society it is our job to make sure that depression is not a taboo topic, and that any stigma
attached to it (and all mental illnesses) are wiped clean. All that it takes is a little bit of
understanding and some amount of empathy from all our side.”
Please note – This document in no way attempts to influence opinions or perceptions. The purpose is s imply to
create awareness of facts pertaining to the mental health issue and encourage families/parents/children to take
the right and necessary steps toward recovery. The information stated above must not be used as a diagnosis.Only
a licensed doctor/psychiatrist can make a diagnosis.
Sources
http://www.apa.org/http://www.psychiatry.org/mental-health http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-
causes-depression http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtml
http://mindyourmind.ca/expression/blog/10-things-may-cause-teenage-depression http://www.webmd.com/depression/
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