Depression in teenagers has received more attention in recent years, with studies showing that the chances of being affected by depression are around 10 percent, and that twice as many girls than boys suffer with the condition. Further studies show that other mental illnesses could accompany teen depression, including social phobia, eating disorders, anxiety disorders and panic. More than 40 percent of patients who had previously experienced trauma later developed depression. The National Institute of Mental Health found that anxiety disorders tend to co-occur 25 to 75 percent of the time alongside depression – ADHD and depression co-occur between 30 to 40 percent of the time. GPs need to be made more aware of such situations, as co-occurring illnesses need to be diagnosed and treated accurately, as they often need a combination of psychotherapy, family education, interventions and medication.
Teenagers often experience mood swings and emotional ups and downs, due to their hormones. It’s because of this that it can often be difficult to diagnose or spot the signs of mental illness. It’s important to pay attention to them so as to spot when the symptoms start to affect their school or family life, sleep or eating pattern. Some of the common signs include anxiety or feelings of being empty, irritability, feelings of guilt, hopelessness or pessimism, over or under eating, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and insomnia. When a patient doesn’t respond to treatments as expected, it could be a sign that there is an additional problem to combat.
Co-occurrence with mental illnesses and depression in teens isn’t uncommon, with around 35 percent of people developing this condition. Mental illnesses aren’t the only accompanying conditions to depression, though – anaemia, diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease are just a few. If you think that you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, it’s advised that they seek medical advice as soon as possible.
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