Depression in adolescents is a major mental health issue that causes constant sadness and a loss of interest in routine activities. It has definite impact on how a teenager thinks, feels, and behaves, and it might result in emotional, functional, and physical issues. Although depression can occur at any age, symptoms may differ between adults and adolescents.

Adolescent depression is not just a weakness that can be cured with effort; it has serious consequences and demands long-term therapy. Most adolescent depression symptoms recover with treatment.

Depression has been linked to high levels of stress, worry, and, in the worst-case situation, suicide. It can also affect these aspects of a teenager’s life:

• personal life
• life at school
• social life
• family life

Symptoms of Teenage Depression:

Emotional changes:

• irritability and anger outbursts leading to conflict with friends and family members
• Frustrated easily over trivial matters and Highly sensitive to failure or rejection
• Despair and feelings of emptiness
• Loss of passion or enjoyment in regular activities
• Loss of interest
• Low confidence
• Obsession on past failures and self-blame Feelings of guilt
• Trouble paying attention, staying focused, making decisions, and recalling things
• Constant sadness
• Thoughts of self-harm/ suicide

Behavioural changes:

Behaviour changes, such as:

• Lack of energy and loss of strength
• Too less or too much sleep
• Decreased hunger and weight loss, or increased food desires and weight gain
• Use of alcohol and other drugs
• Restlessness seen in the form of hand wringing or inability to sit still
• Slowed thinking, speaking, or physical activity
• Several reports of unexplained body aches and headaches
• a lack of social connections 
• Poor school performance 
• Less attention to one’s own health or appearance 
• Anger outbursts, risky behavior
• Self-harming — such as cutting or hitting

Causes of Depression

Variety of issues may be involved as:

• Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that exist naturally and carry signals to multiple areas of the body and the brain. When such molecules are out of balance or weakened, the functioning of the nerve cells and the nervous systems changes, causing depression.
• Hormonal Change: Variations in the body’s hormonal balance may have a role in causing or triggering depression.
• Inherited traits. Depression is more common in persons who have a blood family with the disorder, which includes a parent or grandparent.
• Early childhood trauma. Childhood traumas, such as physical or mental abuse or the demise of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that increase chances for depression.
• Learned patterns of negative thinking. Teenage depression may be related to developing a sense of hopeless rather than developing to feel capable of conquering challenges in life.

Consequences of adolescent Depression

Untreated depressive disorders may give rise to emotional, psychological, and also physical health issues which impact every aspect of an adolescent’s life. Complications of adolescent depression may include, for example:

• Addiction to drugs and alcohol
• Academic decline
• Conflicts between family, friends, and teachers
• Suicidal ideation and attempts of self-harm

How can treatment help with adolescent depression?

Early diagnosis is the key in preventing the future consequences of this serious but treatable mental illness.

Treatment options

Psychotherapy

Counselling with a therapist might help you learn ways to deal for negative emotions. The family or group sessions for therapy may also be beneficial.

Psychotherapy has been proven to be a successful therapy for patients who suffer from depression and other psychiatric diseases.

Psychiatrist recommends either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT).

CBT is guided to replace negative thoughts and emotions with good ones.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A mental health professional will work with you to identify unhealthy routines of thought and understand how they may be developing harmful behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs about yourself in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Therapist might provide you “homework” in which you exercise replacing negative ideas with more positive thoughts.

In interpersonal therapy (IPT), the goal is to enhance interpersonal and problem-solving skills in order to build personal connections. Parents or caregivers will participate in select sessions.

Medications

Multiple medications are approved for use in adolescents for depression

Most medications are safe and with minimal and transient side effects.

What other treatments may help with adolescent depression?

Lifestyle changes may also help to relieve the symptoms of depression.

•         Exercise: According to research, regular exercise boosts the creation of “feel good” chemicals in the brain, which elevate mood.

•         Sleep: Sleep is important, make sure they get enough sleep each night and follow a regular bedtime routine.

•        Diet: It takes the body extra energy to process foods high in fat and sugar. These foods can make you feel sluggish. Prepare meals that are full of a variety of nutritious foods.

• Express yourself: With depression, your creativity and sense of fun may seem blocked. Paint, draw, or doodle. Sew, cook, or bake. Write, dance, or compose music. Chat with a friend or play with a pet. Find something to laugh about. Watch a funny movie. Do things you can enjoy. Even a little. That helps turn depression around.