MAJOR DEPRESSION

Major Depression

Major Depression

Background & Etiology

Depression can be a syndrome, i.e. a set of symptoms, or symptoms may appear as a partner in another entity or disorder, for example, as a result of illness. In young people, depression is not shot in a severe mood or temporary depression. Depression is a serious problem that affects all aspects of life of a teenager. If left untreated, depression in an inexperienced person can lead to problems at school and home, problems with drugs, violence and even suicide. There are many theories about depression among teenagers in general (Buchner, 2008). Adolescence is a difficult time but most teens break out with close friends, success in school or related activities, which helps to shape their personality and confidence. Shots are predictable temporary bad mood, but depression is something quite different. Depression can destroy the personality of a teenager and causes an overwhelming feeling of sadness, hopelessness or resentment.

Discussion

From a clinical perspective, depression is a low mood with loss of interest in almost all areas and activities, which represents a drastic change in the way of being of the person prior to the onset of these symptoms, and with added features such as appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate feelings of guilt, difficulty in thinking or concentrating and thoughts of death or recurrent suicide. Also, present, feelings of sadness, helplessness, diminished self-esteem, feelings of security is threatened due to loss of something or someone who guaranteed and inability to stand alone to the different demands of life (Paykel, 2007).

Depression affects young people more often than most people realize. Though now people know properly how to handle depression, still experts indicate that only 20% of young people with depression receive assistance. Unlike adults who can fend for themselves to find help, and support, as young people often have their parents, teachers or friends to turn to and take account of their ill-being to find the solutions they need (Kessler, 2005, Pp 617).

Adolescents face many forms of stress, either by changes associated with puberty or what they do with their lives. The transition from child to adult life can also bring its share of conflicts with parents as and when teenagers want their independence (Barbui et al, 2007). With all these potential sources of stress, it is not easy to differentiate which is the beginning of a depression which is just a quick temper. To make things even more complicated young people with depression are not necessarily sad or crying all day long. Even though depression is more often associated with withdrawal into oneself as aggressiveness, symptoms can include irritability and anger. Changes have been introduced long ago in personality, mood or behavior are signs of a deeper problem.

Signs and Symptoms

Although sometimes we all might feel the sadness, the diagnosis of clinical depression (major depression) is placed when a person observes at least 5 symptoms listed below (one of them must be depressed mood or loss of interest or ...