Depression in adolescents. Signs, symptoms in girls, boy, test, how to understand, to help, to withdraw, to go out on their own, treatment

Symptoms of depression in adolescents should be diagnosed as early as possible - the timely definition of the disease to avoid complications such as reduced self-developing personality disorders, suicidal tendencies, avoidant, neurological diseases, the occurrence of drug or alcohol dependence.

What is depression in adolescents

Depression in adolescents - a mental disorder, the main feature of which is the loss of interest in life, lack of desire to communicate with their peers, the presence of unjustified guilt, pessimism and a total loss of faith in the successful future.

Depression that develops in severe form, characterized not only by poor psycho-emotional state of the child, but also the inhibition of physical reactions.

It dulls the thought process of the teenager for a long time going with the thoughts, to answer a simple question. Depression can be permanent or temporary depending on the influence of what factors caused its development.

Types of depression in teens

Depression in adolescents (signs of the disease depend on the species of the disease) manifests itself in different ways. Of great importance is the form of mental disorder. In adolescence the most frequent unipolar depression, which may also be called not complicated.

They account for 90% of all diseases of this type. The remaining 10% - a bipolar form of diseases which are characterized by a tendency to teenager manic behavior. Below are detailed views of adolescent depression.

Kind of mental disorder	Description
depression	The classic manifestation of depression, which has a standard set of symptoms. Without adequate treatment is able to move in complicated forms.
Minor depression	The behavior of the teenager is reflected in a sharp change of mood from cheerful to very depressed. To confirm the diagnosis is sufficient to detect 2 main symptoms of the disease, which are stored for 14 days.
atypical	Together with the main symptoms of depression, there is additional specific symptoms in the form of increased appetite, insomnia, drowsiness or emotional reactivity.
postnatal	Common in adolescent girls, who at an early age became mothers. It develops in the first 6 months. after childbirth. It can be treated better than other varieties of disease.
recurrent	Differs from other types of depression that occurs in adolescent is not more than 1-2 times a month, and its duration does not exceed 3 days.
dysthymia	This kind of disease can also be called a mild form of "chronic depression". This diagnosis is exposed in cases when a teenager for at least 2 years in a depressed state, the mood all the time is bad, there are constant complaints to life.

The biggest challenge for the child psychiatrist is to correctly identify the specific kind of depressive condition of the child. On this depends the future development of the treatment regimen, as well as the success of the therapeutic course.

Stage and degree of depression in teens

Depression in adolescents (signs of the disease appear gradually) lasts an average of 6 to 8 months. During this period, there are events that allow you to improve the psycho-emotional state of the child, or the disease becomes chronic, complications begin.

Distinguish the following stages of the development of depression in adolescent children, which are typical for all types of disease:

• stage 1 - there is irritability, disturbed sleep, teenager shows a direct protest, refusing to follow the instructions of their parents or their direct responsibilities;
• stage 2 - there is isolation, lack of desire to communicate with the outside world, parents, peers, most of the time is spent in the walls of his room (usually this condition manifests after 2 months. the onset of illness);
• stage 3 - there is deterioration in mental health, adolescent appear first suicidal thoughts that can be implemented in reality, depressed mood changes to a sharp emotional outburst as aggression;
• stage 4 - develop secondary psychiatric disorders, neurosis join, which can manifest itself in the form of involuntary twitching body parts, performance one and the same actions, rituals, walk on a given route (in this case is almost completely absent psycho-emotional reactions to stimuli surrounding the world).

  

The most successful is the treatment of depression, which was launched in the 1-2 stage of the disease. The teenager, whose mental condition was changed to 3-4 stage of depression, cumbersome to drug therapy becomes suicidal, and the disease itself often recurs in the form of relapse.

Symptoms of depression in adolescents

Depression in adolescents (symptoms appear in the first days of the disease, but may initially be less pronounced) is easily detected while communicating with your child. The presence of the disease can be diagnosed even parents who know their son or daughter, and give them a sufficient amount of attention.

Symptoms of depression in adolescent children can be expressed in the following behavior:

• isolation;
• pessimism;
• lack of positive emotions;
• suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide;
• irritability;
• lack of friends, and any desire to communicate with their peers;
• depression psycho-emotional reactions;
• confusion of thought;
• indifference to loved ones.

Depending on what the cause of a teenager sparked the development of depression, the above-listed symptoms may be more or less saturated. The presence of at least two of said signs is the basis for diagnosis - "small depression".

Causes of depression in teens

Most varieties of depression are common causal factors of occurrence. This is due to the feature of the physiological and psychological development of adolescents.

Identify the following causes of disease:

• experienced by a stressful situation, who wore a short-term or a continuing character (the loss of a loved one, reduced self-esteem, teen dissatisfaction with their social status in the group, which eventually can cause the development of the reactive forms depression);
• cruelty from peers and parents, who show an adolescent psychological and physical violence;
• especially the child's identity (e.g., a tendency to perfectionism, creativity, emotional outbursts to perfect);
• hormonal disorders related to the malfunction of the thyroid gland or other organs of the endocrine system responsible for the synthesis of male and female hormones;
• continuously taking drugs belonging to the pharmacological group of corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, levodopa;
• atherosclerosis of the main vessels that provide circulatory brain power;
• previously craniocerebral trauma;
• use of drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Depression in adolescents can cause the comorbidities of the psyche that are already present in the child, but still exhibit symptoms listed in the sections above. For successful treatment it is important to initially determine the cause, which was the emergence of the disease and to take action to resolve it.

Testing of depression in teens

Depression in adolescents (signs of the disease is difficult to diagnose because of the high degree of latency) cumbersome to study and diagnosis in connection the fact that the majority of children in this age group are closed in themselves, are not willing to communicate with doctor.

Boys and girls are trying to keep within the feelings and fears, which in fact are the cause of the disease. Some scares profile special psychiatrist. Modern methods of diagnosis of depression is based on the use of test questionnaires.

The doctor asks the child questions, and on the basis of the responses received, generates the clinical picture.

Here is an example of a diagnostic test, which contains the following questions to the teenager:

1. Does he feel guilty?
2. As a child may characterize their self-esteem, social status in the group?
3. Arise if he had thought about suicide? If so, in what way? When they come? Which affects their appearance? Perhaps some event, action?
4. There is a decrease in appetite, or an aversion to eating?
5. Well if the teenager is sleeping? whether his nightmares torment? What often dream?
6. if he noticed behind him, he can not concentrate?
7. What a school performance? Satisfied with their assessments or not?
8. How often has a psychological depression?
9. Teenager always in a good mood? That it may spoil?
10. Many if he had any friends? As part of the plant to meet new people?
11. How much time is spent at home?
12. How fun?

Each answer to the question is subject to scrutiny. Best of all, if during the test will be conducted the video. This allows the physician to revisit the material, make sure that all the answers were sincere teenager, establish the true cause of depression, if the diagnosis is yet to confirm.

In that case, if the doctor detects a bipolar disorder, behavioral and personality disorders, as well as signs other mental illness, the teenager is sent to the computer of a brain imaging, as well as leases EEG.

When to see a doctor or psychologist

The presence of at least 2 symptoms that have been listed in the previous section, is a strong base, to immediately seek help from a psychologist doctor.

If the specialist of this profile will not be able to understand the child's psycho-emotional state, or detect border conditions requiring medical treatment with special preparations, in this case, need advice psychiatrist.

The earlier treatment of adolescents will qualified, the less likelihood of complications, and recurrence of the disease after recovery.

Prevention of depression in teens

Mental health is as important as the stable operation of the internal organs and systems. It should take care of the emotional state of the child.

Below is listed the prevention of the rules that must be followed as to the teenager and his parents:

• do not abuse alcohol, to give up drugs, tobacco, gambling addiction;
• children out of the comfort zone, meet new friends, feel free to express themselves as individuals;
• parents should not overwhelm the child initiatives, if they do not go beyond the law or moral norms;
• teenager needs to focus and physical energy at any hobby, hobbies (This can be a sports section, artistic circle, learning favorite school subjects programs);
• parents should be given daily for at least 1 hour a day to talk with your child about school, his new acquaintances, friends, wonder what was bothering him, what present fears, he may feel self-doubt, he had accumulated Problems.

All issues are discussed in a relaxed atmosphere. The essence of the conversation is to find a way out of any situation. The teenager must feel support the family by the relatives.

This is the first step on the way to optimism, overcoming pessimism and lack of faith in the fact that tomorrow will be better. Medical statistics show that in families where there is understanding, there is no physical and psychological pressure, cases of teenage depression almost never occur.

Methods of treating depression in teens

Modern medicine offers several ways to get rid of depression in adolescent children. They can be used individually or else in combination with other methods.

Psychotherapy

The use of psychotherapy as the primary treatment for depression in adolescent children, is effective in the event that the child is suffering from a disease of mild or moderate severity. Psychologist motivates the patient to show vitality, individual programs, which allow you to train self-control, to manage their emotions.

During a conversation with a psychologist child receives guidelines that allow you to change the thinking, remove pessimistic and suicidal thoughts. psychotherapy lasting for at least 30 days.

Initially, it takes at least 2 weeks to get the child out of depression and as many more to stabilize the psycho-emotional reactions. Cost of course therapy is from 6000 rubles. (12 sessions).

Medications

Drug therapy involves the use of antidepressants with sedative or stimulant pharmacological properties.

Treatment of depression in adolescents is possible with the following medications:

• maprotiline - safe remedy for depression, adopted on 50 mg 3 times a day, washing down the necessary quantity of water (treatment rate is not less than 10 days, has a sedative effect, is shown to receive young people who have depressed mood, associated with periodic gusts of anger, the price of 1 package of the drug - 1500 rubles).;
• Prozac - you should take 20 mg 1 time per day at the same time for 14 days, it allows you to cope with depression, It promotes recovery from bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, which often occur as a complication of depression (the cost of the drug 110 rub. per piece);
• Paxil - drink 1 tablet 1 per day directly into the meal, which is equal to 20 mg of the drug, the course treatment is 2-3 weeks (according to the doctor's insistence dose may be reduced to 0.5 tablets per day, price - 1600 rub.);
• extract levzei - liquid tincture on the basis of ethyl alcohol concentration of 70% is permitted for use in the treatment of children over 12 years old (must be within 20 days to accept on 20 drops. drug 2 times a day during the meal, and the cost of 1 vial of medication is 85 rubles).;
• Azafen - Take 1 tablet 2 times a day for 1 month, can successfully treat depression of all kinds, as well. complications of the disease as fear, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (value 1 package consisting of 50 tablets is 20 rub.).

All medicines listed above or the other medicines relevant to the category of antidepressants should be prescribed only psychiatrist.

Traditional methods

there are alternative methods of treatment medication addition, which include the use of folk remedies.

Here are some of the most effective recipes that allow to get rid of depression among teens in the early stages of the disease symptoms:

• St. John's wort tea - take 1 hour. l. dried flowers of this plant, pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover bowl with a lid and wait for 10 minutes to cure the present (taking therapeutic drink in the morning and evening for 1 month.).;
• tincture Schisandra - take 2 tbsp. l. dried Schizandra berries, pour 100 ml of ethyl alcohol or brew, remove the container in the dark and cool place for 10 days (at the expiration of the specified time home medicine is taken on 20 Cap. 2 times a day during meals, treatment time - not less than 21 days);
• decoction of Passiflora - need to take 1 tbsp. l. dried flowers of the plant, their pour 0.5 liters of running water and boil at low heat for 10 min., taking 250 ml. morning and evening for 1 month.

Folk remedies have not passed clinical trials in specialized laboratories, so the effectiveness of home infusions and decoctions are not scientifically confirmed. Before using folk remedies recommended to consult with your doctor.

As teenagers go out on their own

Self-treatment of depression in adolescence - a very complex process, the use of which is allowed if the child no Adequate close people who can help him by the Board, there is no opportunity to consult a qualified specialist or acquire the necessary medicines.

In this case, get rid of the disease in the following ways:

• get a part time to no time on bad thoughts;
• enroll in the sports section, related arts (strengthens the body and spirit);
• during an attack of depression do physical exercises (squats, push-ups, go for a run);
• start drawing or writing poetry, splashing all negative on the paper;
• set yourself any purpose and to go to it, overcoming all the difficulties (raising money for the journey, the acquisition vehicle electronics);
• to have a pet.

In order to quickly overcome depression, it is very important to feel fit. You need to be constantly busy with something, do not be alone with yourself all the time to set ambitious goals and to take measures to achieve them. In this case, the depression go away by itself, and quietly even for the teenager.

How can parents help a teenager

Father and mother, who want to protect their child from this mental illness, should show love for him daily. The best option is to change the situation. It is recommended to take some time off and go on vacation with the whole family.

This may be the seaside or the countryside in the country. The main thing is that the child feel needed, loved and popular. It's important to be interested in his opinion. As he assesses the specific situation? He considers whether it is necessary to do differently? It should be the maximum freedom of action.

Other methods

When protracted and recurrent depression, the emergence of the teenager sustained desire to commit suicide, using the most radical method of treatment. It electroconvulsive therapy.

Its principle consists in carrying out the following aspects:

• child takes a horizontal position, the limbs are fixed medical belts;
• on the head wear a special helmet, which is connected to the electrical contacts, and sensors;
• Specialist, conducting the procedure, supplies a voltage, whereby through brain teenager passes electric charge;
• arise involuntary limb spasms;
• under the influence of current in the brain cells of biochemical changes occur as a result of which the synthesized substances improving mood.

The total duration of the treatment is not more than 10 min., And pass an electric current runs from 1 to 2 seconds. The recommended amount of therapeutic treatments - 8 treatments.

Before treatment, the teenager's parents give permission to use electric current in the process of treatment of their child. Also, parents should be aware of the risk of side effects in the form of short-term memory loss, disorientation in space, which may occur in a patient.

possible complications

Lack qualified treatment of depressive states capable of gradually escalate into a more serious disease that are actually complication of the underlying disease.

In this case, the following negative consequences:

• the development of neurological disorders, neuroses;
• the transition of the disease in the border state of bipolar disorder with the emergence of manic tendencies;
• suicide;
• low self-esteem, feeling worthless, a failure (rooted in the process of identity formation and persists into adulthood);
• appearance addiction severity, rage outbursts;
• occurrence of schizophrenia;
• deterioration in school performance, loss of desire to learn, to get acquainted with the surrounding world;
• complete apathy;
• appearance addictions as alcoholism, drug addiction.

Signs of depression in adolescent children is difficult not to notice. If the parents or the teachers at school, immediately responded to behavioral changes on the part of the child, attracted psychologist found out, and then eliminate the cause of a depressed state, the above-mentioned complications never come.

The lack of therapeutic treatment always leads to tragic consequences and mental disorders adolescent development.

Registration of the article: Mila Friedan

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