Integrity House RTC

Understanding Teen Depression | Integrity House RTC

For many years clinicians at Integrity House RTC described Teen Depression as "anger turned inward against the self ". In this age of supercomputers, MRIs, NMRs, PET scans, and neurobiology, how do we understand Teen Depression today? If you have a Daughter struggling with Teen Depression please call Integrity House RTC today (866) 439-0355.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (4th ed.), a classification guide to the psychiatric disorders, identifies major depression as an affective or mood disorder. At least one of the following symptoms must be met:

* depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day as indicated by either subjective report or observation made by others

* markedly diminished interest in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day.

These symptoms must not be caused by a general medical condition or as the result of medication or drugs of abuse.

In addition, the cluster of symptoms with Teen Depression may also include significant weight loss or gain due to changes in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions, decreased sexual drive, and recurrent thoughts of death with or without a specific plan for committing suicide.

It is estimated that between five and 11 percent of the total population of the United States will experience major depression at some point in their life. Over half of those will have recurrent episodes periodically throughout their lives (Preskom, 1999). Integrity House RTC has treated Teenage Depression for 12 Years.

Major depression runs in families. There is a three-fold higher chance of developing this disorder if there is a positive family history of major depression than compared to the general population. Girls are also at twice the risk of men in developing this disorder. Men are more likely to suffer from alcohol abuse and dependence. Many times after the alcoholic stops drinking, a major depression is found and must be treated (Preskom, 1999).

We may not completely understand the etiology of Teen depression, whether biochemical or genetic. Clinicians commonly refer to it as a "chemical imbalance." Many people have a false idea that major depression is trivial, will go away on its own, or is a sign of personal weakness. Clinicians often compare major depression to diabetes as a condition that requires learning about the condition, monitoring the condition, and taking responsibility for treatment whether antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or both. Integrity House RTC located in Southern Utah helps teenage girls ages 12-17 that struggle with depression.

The most important thing about major depression is that it is highly treatable. Most patients will respond to antidepressant medication (Preskom, 1999). It is important to stress with patients that most antidepressants, commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), will need two to three weeks to reach a therapeutic level before the patient begins to feel some re lief from symptoms.

For patients with first-time episodes, antidepressants will generally need to be taken for four to five months after they respond to the medication. Some patients with recurrent episodes of depression may need to be treated on a long-term basis with antidcpressants to prevent a recurrence. A special note is to advise the patient not to suddenly stop his medication as this can cause an uncomfortable flu-like illness called serotonin reuptake inhibitor withdrawal syndrome (Preskom, 1999).

The following are some tips from an experienced psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (Horsley, 2004) on handling depression:

1. Get help. Many hospitals and clinics conduct depression screening clinics. Many depressed people will present with symptoms of somatic illness in the primary care setting.

2. Involve family. Learn as much as you can about your medication and prescribed treatment.

3. Find a trusted mental health professional to talk about your symptoms. Teen Depression often accompanies loss. It is important to resolve those emotions to be able to move on in life.

4. Attempt to keep a regular schedule and structure to avoid dwelling on the negative. Arts and crafts, gardening, exercise, and work as tolerated are all excellent ways of channeling feelings into a more productive direction.

Depression is treatable even in people who are resistant to medication. It is important that they not lose hope. Electro convulsive Therapy (ECT) is still used upon occasion as a life-saving treatment. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment of depression and schizophrenia is under investigation in research centers. TMS utilizes an electro-magnet placed on the scalp that generates either high or low frequency magnetic pulses roughly the strength of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. There are some side effects to this treatment including the possibility of headaches, seizures, and temporary confusion.

It is commonly thought that the potential for suicide is greatest during the holidays. Actually, the highest incidence of suicide is in the spring of the year. So, if you know someone who appears depressed, get involved, be supportive, and get them the help they need.

Source: findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3940/is_200406/ai_n9433766/pg_2