What is it about ?
Feelings of depression are common in adolescents. Usually there is no need to worry about it.
Sometimes these depressive feelings develop into full-blown depression. This can manifest itself in different ways. Sometimes you don’t immediately notice that the young person is depressed. He may have a passion for certain hobbies or present behavioral problems (arguments, theft, consumption or abuse of alcohol or drugs). Teens with depression smoke more often and use illegal drugs and alcohol more often than other young people. It is to be taken seriously. It requires proper treatment.
The factors that cause depression are not well known. We know that there is a link between depression and social factors and negative life events. Adolescents with depression often have poorer social skills and lower self-esteem than other young people their age. The risk of depression is higher in families with a history of severe depression or bipolar affective disorder.
In whom and how often does it occur?
In the 13-18 age group, about 5 in 100 boys and 6 in 100 girls suffer from depression.
Severe depression affects just over 3 in 100 young people. Long-term, moderate depression also affects just over 3 in 100 young people.
Out of 10 young people with depression, 4 also develop another psychiatric illness. Severe depression in adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Out of 10 young people who commit suicide, 5 to 8 suffer from severe depression.
How to recognize it?
Moments of sadness are part of normal development; they are passengers. They have no impact on functional abilities. However, it is important to distinguish a normal depressive state from true depression.
Signs that may indicate depression are:
- Almost constant feeling of being unhappy, boredom, feeling empty or constant irritation,
- Uncontrollable emotional outbursts,
- Difficulty concentrating,
- Feelings of worthlessness and shame, sometimes unrealistic feelings of guilt,
- Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicide planning,
- Self-destructive behavior (e.g. cutting oneself, taking risks),
- Sleep disorders (difficulty falling asleep, excitement, insomnia in the early morning, nightmares),
- Weight variations,
- Worries about his body, exaggerated fear of illness (hypochondria),
- Pain and other physical symptoms,
- Inability to take pleasure in anything.
- Less relationships with others, or less good relationships,
- Primarily primitive defense mechanisms (e.g. denying, saying it’s other people’s fault, isolation)
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will speak with the youngster and ask him questions about his hobbies, friends and school and the impact of his symptoms on daily life. He will also estimate the risk of suicide. In order to be able to better assess the seriousness of the situation, he can use a questionnaire.
A depressive state can have a physical cause. The doctor will therefore perform a clinical examination and will often take a blood test as well.
What can the doctor do?
It is important that a young person with depression is well followed. The cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy by a psychologist or psychiatrist are both effective.
If needed, the doctor can temporarily prescribe medication to relieve symptoms. Most often, these are antidepressants. Medication should be taken for at least 4-6 months.
If the symptoms do not improve or if the functional abilities of the adolescent continent decline, a specialist evaluation may be necessary.
If there is a risk of suicide, the doctor will refer the young person immediately to a specialist.
Want to know more?
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Mental Health Services – The Social Guide
- Find a therapist – AEMTC – Association for the Study, Modification and Therapy of Behavior
- Find a psychologist – Commission des psychologues
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