Teenage depression: what it is, warning signs and causes

The teen depression is a freak which increased significantly as a result of the health emergency due to the COVID-19 and has remained in the transition towards the post-pandemicaccording to a report from TecSaludmedical portal of the Tecnológico de Monterrey that lists the warning signsas well as the Causes of this disease.

What is it and what are the warning signs of adolescent depression?

According to the medical article reviewed by the expert in Clinical Psychology, Araceli Franco Alcocernational and international epidemiological data estimate that 1 in 5 teens will experience a depressive picture before the age of 18.

• The Depression It is a mental/emotional condition that interferes with adolescent development, with repercussions on their daily activities such as academic performance, diet, sleep hygiene, social/family life, entertainment and leisure time, eating and having fun.

When the family or social environment perceives in the youngster behaviors of isolation, disinterest, apathywithout acknowledging that they may be setting the tone for a possible teen depressionthe initial reaction is to motivate and encourage him to ‘be positive’ what for ‘he misses it‘.

However, it is important to underline that the Depression it is not removed simply by changing your attitude and being positive: depression requires to be therapeutically attended with mental/emotional health professionals.

It is a condition that has implications both emotional Y cognitive, like physics. Some signs that can be used to identify if an adolescent may be going through a depression and seek help are:

What are the causes of this disease?

According to the expert of tech of Monterrey, there is no single cause, since depression can be multifactorial. To this day, depression is considered a complex phenomenon and among the main causes in adolescents we find:

• Hormone imbalance: hormonal changes or instability.
• hereditary family history with depression issues.
• Neurotransmitter Dysregulation: deficiencies in brain chemistry.
• Psychological factors: Situations of stress and anxiety (bereavements, undergoing a significant illness, situations of physical or emotional abuse, psychological conflicts during childhood, to name a few.)

It is important to mention that currently, the social media and other media have an important role, since can exacerbate depression when a young man is passing through it.

If a close adult or friend of the adolescent observes any of the aforementioned signs, It is recommended that you ask him how he is feeling and if there is something that is bothering you or worrying you. Also, tell him about the changes in his behavior that have been observed in him in recent times and his concern about it.

In the first instance, it is necessary to see a health professional whom the family and the young person trust. In many cases, the pediatrician can listen to the young person, guide the parents and, at the same time, make the referral to a mental/emotional health professionalbe it a clinical psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychoanalyst or a paedopsychiatrist.

It is important that the depression in the adolescent be attended to in time to avoid significant implications in all areas of their development, which in turn, cause repercussions in their adult life.