problems in their adult life, says a new study.
Psychiatrists at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute surveyed 750
fourteen to 16-year-old teenagers and then interviewed them as adults, to come up with the
findings.
Researchers found anxiety, severe depression and eating disorders were much more common in those 20 to 30-year-olds who had suffered from minor depression as adolescents, reports The BBC.
The report published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that 8 percent of participants had minor depression as teenagers.By the age of 20 and 30, these people were four times more prone to developing major depression than those who did not face bouts of depression as teens.
According to the research, teens with minor depression had a two-and-a-half times increased risk of agoraphobia, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder and a threefold risk of anorexia or bulimia as adults.The researchers defined minor depression as one which lasted for at least two weeks and had symptoms like feeling low, losing interest in activities, sleeping problems and poor concentration.
Study leader Dr Jeffrey Johnson said more research was needed to see if depression problems in
teenagers were an early phase of major depressive disorder or if minor depression earlier in life
contributed to the development of more serious problems later on.
"Ensuring teachers, social workers and the rest of the children''s workforce have the appropriate skills and knowledge to identify when a child is showing signs of depression will enable young people to get help early before problems escalate to crisis point."Lucie Russell, Young Minds
EFFECT OF TEEN DEPRESSION :-
The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond a melancholy mood. Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in teenagers are actually indications of depression like problems at school,running away,substance abuse,eating disorders,internet addictions self injury,reckless behavior,violence and the most dangerous is suicidal attempts.
YOUR DUTY TO A DEPRESSED TEENAGER :-
If you suspect that a teenager in your life is suffering from depression, take action right away. Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that the symptoms will go away. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing in your teenager are signs of a problem. Whether or not that problem turns out to be depression, it still needs to be addressed - the sooner the better.
You should try to keep some important points in your mind when you going to talk with a depressed teen; Always try to offer him/her support,gentle but very persistent,validate feelings and most important is don't try to lecturing him/her without listening.
Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention — adolescent depression. Parents or caregivers must take action.
EARLY HELP :-
The researchers defined minor depression as milder than clinical depression but lasting at least two weeks and including symptoms such as feeling down, losing interest in activities, sleeping problems and poor concentration.
Study leader Dr Jeffrey Johnson said more research was needed to see if depression problems in teenagers were an early phase of major depressive disorder or if minor depression earlier in life contributed to the development of more serious problems later on.
Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at Young Minds, said the study highlighted the importance of giving teenagers the right support when problems first arise.
"Ensuring teachers, social workers and the rest of the children's workforce have the appropriate skills and knowledge to identify when a child is showing signs of depression will enable young people to get help early before problems escalate to crisis point."
But she added that access to specialist services was a problem with some parts of the country having year-long waiting lists.
STRATEGIES AND TIPS FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH :-
People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their emotions and their behavior. They are able to handle life’s inevitable challenges, build strong relationships, and lead productive, fulfilling lives. When bad things happen, they’re able to bounce back and move on.
Unfortunately, too many people take their mental and emotional health for granted – focusing on it only when they develop problems. But just as it requires effort to build or maintain physical health, so it is with mental and emotional health. The more time and energy you invest in your emotional health, the stronger it will be. The good news is that there are many things you can do to boost your mood, build resilience, and get more enjoyment out of life.
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