CONTENTS

1. What is adolescent depression?

2. How to spot depression in teens?

3. Why do adolescents get depressed?
4. How is teen depression diagnosed?
5. How is teen depression treated?
6. Natural depression treatments
7. Some other causes & facts
8. What happens when depression is left untreated?
9. Message
Teenage depression

This mental and emotional disorder is not medically

different from adult depression.

However, symptoms in teens may manifest themselves in

different ways than in adults due
to the different social and developmental challenges
facing teens:-
 Peer pressure
 Sports
 Changing hormone levels
 Developing bodies
Depression is associated with high
levels of stress, anxiety, and in the
worst possible scenarios, Suicide.

It can also affect a teen’s :-

 Personal life
 School life
 Work life
 Social life
 Family life

This can lead to social isolation and other problems.

Depression isn’t a condition people can “snap out of ” ,
or simply “cheer up from”. It’s a real medical condition
that can affect a person’s life in every manner if it is not
treated properly.
[Symptoms]
 ADOLESCENTS & CHILDREN

Depressed
Normal

Estimates from a study published in American

Family Physician state that up to 15% of
children and adolescents have some symptoms of
depression.
Depression is more than boredom or disinterest in school.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry[AACAP], some signs of adolescent depression include:-

 Sadness, anxiety or feeling of hopelessness

 Changes in appetite or weight
 A decreased interest in activities once found pleasurable
 Difficulty in concentrating
 Feeling of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
 Major changes in sleeping habits
 Regular complaints of boredom
 Talk of suicide
 Withdrawal from friends or after-school activities
 Rebellious behavior
 Memory loss
 WHY DO ADOLESCENTS GET
DEPRESSED?

[ CAUSES ]
There’s no single known cause of adolescent
depression.
According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple factors
could lead to depression, including:

1. DIFFERENCES IN THE BRAIN :-

Structural difference in brains of adolescents than
adults.
Hormone differences & different levels of Neurotransmitters.

2. DEEP DEPRESSING EARLY LIFE EVENTS :-

Lasting impression.
Loss of a parent or physical, emotional, or sexual
abuse can leave lasting effects on a child’s brain
that could contribute to depression.
3. INHERITED TRAITS:-
Research shows that depression has a
biological component. It can be passed down
from parents to their children.

4. LEARNED PATTERN OF NEGATIVE

THINKING:-
Teens regularly exposed to pessimistic
thinking, especially from their parents, and
who learn to feel helpless instead of how to
overcome challenges, can also develop
depression.
HOW IS TEEN DEPRESSION
DIAGNOSED?
 Interviews, and
 Psychological tests
With teen and his/ her family members, teachers, and
peers.

Treatment recommendations are also made based on the

data collected from the interviews.

Incidences of attempted suicide and self-mutilation

are higher in females than males while completed
suicide is higher in males. One of the most vulnerable
groups for completed suicide is the 18-24 age groups.
HOW IS TEEN DEPRESSION TREATED?

Medications

Psychotherapy

Family therapy

Hospitalization
NATURAL DEPRESSION TREATMENTS
 EAT HEALTHY
It’s a good idea to watch what you
eat, though. If depression tends to
make you overeat, getting in
control of your eating will help you
feel better.

GET IN A ROUTINE
 SET GOALS

“Start very small”. As you start to feel better ,

you can add more challenging daily goals.

EXERCISE

It temporarily boosts feel-good

chemicals called endorphins. It
may also have long-term
benefits for people with
depression.
 GET ENOUGH
SLEEP

Take all the distractions

out of your bedroom.
Go to bed & Get up at the
same time.

TAKE ON
RESPONSIBILITIES
&
TRY TO HAVE FUN
SOME OTHER CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

 Normal process of maturing

 Independence conflicts with parents
 Death of a loved one
 Relationship Break-up
 Failure at school
 Child abuse
 Chronic Illness
 Poor social skills
 Problems in school
 Loss of friendship
 Running away from home
 Substance Abuse(Alcohol, drugs)
 Eating disorders
 Self injury
 Reckless behavior
 Violence
 Suicide
 “ Karmanye vadhi karas te
ma phalesu kadachana
Ma karma – phala – hetur bhur
Ma te sango’ stua karmani”

--- Lord Krishna advised great warrior Arjuna to

devotedly perform his duties without any expectations.
You should also not allow the stress and strain to prevail
upon you. You should not allow this to be an obstacle for
you to become successful.

[MESSAGE]
THANK
YOU!