Important information, especially when we think of "depression" as being primarily an "adult" disease and not inflicting young children or teenagers.
I'm glad you provided the signs of teenage depression, saying that one or more of these signs may indicate depression, but that at the same time, seeing two or more of these signs does not necessarily mean they have depression...it's more about talking and listening with your child.
From what I understand, as far as diagnosing depression, is that one or more of these signs need to be experienced for a defined length of time (not sure what the DSM-IV criteria is?). And, I assume there is sub-clinical depression where your child does not meet all the diagnostic criteria for clinical depression, but there are enough symptoms that they still need to seek a professional counselor. Another important clue that the signs you provided may be depression is there has been a recent "life event" in the teenagers' life. Could you speak more about this? And, what causes teenage depression in the first place (is it from a "life event" or from a chemical imbalance, or inherited..or something else?)
Lastly, changes in sleep patterns could indicate depression, which could also be difficult to discern in a teenager's life as different than usual.
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Important information, especially when we think of "depression" as being primarily an "adult" disease and not inflicting young children or teenagers.
I'm glad you provided the signs of teenage depression, saying that one or more of these signs may indicate depression, but that at the same time, seeing two or more of these signs does not necessarily mean they have depression...it's more about talking and listening with your child.
From what I understand, as far as diagnosing depression, is that one or more of these signs need to be experienced for a defined length of time (not sure what the DSM-IV criteria is?). And, I assume there is sub-clinical depression where your child does not meet all the diagnostic criteria for clinical depression, but there are enough symptoms that they still need to seek a professional counselor. Another important clue that the signs you provided may be depression is there has been a recent "life event" in the teenagers' life. Could you speak more about this? And, what causes teenage depression in the first place (is it from a "life event" or from a chemical imbalance, or inherited..or something else?)
Lastly, changes in sleep patterns could indicate depression, which could also be difficult to discern in a teenager's life as different than usual.
Thanks!!
July 27, 2008 - 6:27pmThis Comment
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