ADOLESCENCE DEPRISSION
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=>GENERAL INFO:
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Depression may be defined as the state of extreme melancholy, where patients who exhibit this condition may develop severe apathy towards their environment. Their physical activity may lessen considerably and can even spend hours in any single posture. Till date, treatment was only done by routine prescription of antidepressants and psychotherapy. More severe cases were given electro-convulsive therapy.
Depression in adolescents is in many ways quite similar to that of adults. The DSM-IV manual also cites the criteria for depression in adults and adolescents to be same. Younger teenagers may not be able to express their feelings as the older ones and hence the symptoms of depression may be expressed as phobias, bodily complaints, behavior problems, or as separation anxieties. Teens suffering from psychotic depressions may report hallucinations.
=>COMMON SYMPTOMS:
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>Decline in academic achievements.
>Behavioral problems in friendship.
>Withdrawing from contact with family and other people.
>Lack of enthusiasm and energy. Difficulty in self-motivation.
>Unnecessary aggression, anger and rage.
>Report of feelings of sadness and helplessness.
>Over-reaction to criticism.
>Feels incapable of living up to the parental expectations.
>Lacks self-esteem and suffers from guilt.
>Unable to concentrate or take decisions.
>Feeling restless and agitated.
>Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
>Having suicidal thoughts or suicidal
=>CAUSES:
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Adolescence depression may be caused by any of the following factors:
.Substance abuse
.Mental disorders
.Post-traumatic stress disorder
.Sleep deprivation
>Other causes:
Parental abuse, neglect, rejection and parental conflict for feeling low or depressed.
=>TREATMENT:
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Depression in teens is treated in the same way as depression in adults. Antidepressant medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally prescribed for major depressive disorders. These medications target the neurotransmitter serotonin and have been helpful in treating adolescent depression.
Often adolescents may also benefit from certain psychological therapies. These are effective in moderate to severe depressions when used complementary along with the medicines.
Research shows that it is possible to treat the depression in adolescents completely and effectively. However, parents and medical practitioners should take a note of the warning issued by FDA of USA regarding the increased risk of suicides from youths taking antidepressants like SSRIs.
=>DRUGS:
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.Imipramine
.Clomipramine
.Doxepin
.Amoxapine
.Desipramine
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