Adolescent Depression

Essay # 59912

Psychology > Child and Adolescent
Psychology > Disorders

This paper discusses that depression is often overlooked in children and adolescents because they are not always capable of expressing their feelings, and sometimes the symptoms of mood disorders take on different forms in children than in adults.

925 words () | 4 sources | APA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that it is the responsibility of the parents, teachers, physicians, and those who interact with the adolescent on a daily basis to help diagnose depression. The author points out that, although symptoms of adolescent depression are often masked, adolescents may express boredom instead of sadness; they may engage in risky behaviors, or they may exhibit other psychological problems, such as anxiety, eating disorders, hyperactivity, substance abuse, and suicide. The paper relates that, for many adolescents, symptoms of depression are directly related to low self-esteem stemming from increased emphasis on peer popularity; and, for other adolescents, depression may arise from ineffective family relationships, including decreased family support and perceived rejection by parents.

From the Paper:

"Depression is a disease that affects the human psyche. Adults with depression tend to act and react abnormally toward themselves and others. It comes as no surprise that adolescent depression is strongly linked to teen suicide. Adolescent suicide is responsible for more deaths in teenagers 15 to 19 years of age than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Yet, despite this increased suicide rate, many physicians misdiagnose adolescent depression. This misdiagnosis leads to serious difficulties for the adolescent in school and work."