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Depression in High Schoolers

Depression among high schoolers is a serious issue. Depression can affect a teenager's ability to function normally at home and at school. Suicide and drug abuse are also associated with teenage depression. Though depression among high school students is treatable, only approximately 20 percent of depressed teens ever receive help, according to HelpGuide.org.

  1. Diagnosis

    • According to MedicineNet.com, there are no specific tests that can be performed to detect depression. A diagnosis of depression among high school students is likely to be based on information drawn from interviews and questionnaires answered by the student. A doctor may also interview parents and teachers of the student. A physical examination can help to rule out other possible cause of depressive symptoms.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of depression among high schoolers can include periods of sadness, anger and hostility, changes in appetite and sleeping habits, fatigue, distractibility, loss of motivation and suicidal behavior. Symptoms of depression in teenagers may be different than those of depression in adults. Teenagers may display anger more than sadness, and they may withdraw socially from only certain people while maintaining contact with a select group.

    Consequences

    • Depression can have a number of consequences for high school students. Depression can make it difficult for students to perform at their highest level. Some high schoolers may abuse drugs, run away from home and develop low self-esteem and/or an eating disorder, according to HelpGuide.org. Teenagers with depression may engage in impulsive acts and attempt acts that are self-harmful, including suicide.

    Antidepressants

    • Antidepressant medications may help to treat symptoms of some cases of depression; however, antidepressants may not be ideal for all teenagers. As of 2007, antidepressants come with a "black box" warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that antidepressants may increase the suicide risk of people 18 to 24 years old. Teenagers who have bipolar disorder or those who have made previous suicide attempts may be most at risk of committing suicide due to antidepressants.

    Suicide

    • According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), approximately 1,200 teenagers in the United States die from suicide each year, and approximately 72,000 teenagers are hospitalized each year as a result of suicide attempts. High schoolers with depression may be clearly preoccupied with death and suicide, and any reference or threat regarding suicide should be taken seriously, according to HelpGuide.org.

    Bipolar Disorder

    • Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic depression, is a chronic mental disorder that features depressive symptoms that alternate with manic symptoms. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), diagnosing bipolar disorder in teenagers depends on "careful observation over an extended period of time." Symptoms of mania among teenagers can include inflated self-esteem, being extremely talkative, increased amounts of energy and sleeping little. Mania may also cause a teenager to be noticeably happy or aggressive and angry. Symptoms of bipolar disorder may be managed through mood-stabilizing drugs, atypical anti-psychotics and psychotherapy.

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