Need Professional Help
TG PeerPressure PF.indd 85
depression is the most common reason people go to see their doctor and is responsible for high rates of morbidity (suffering) throughout the world. Teenagers have the same or higher rates of depression as do adults. Adding bullying, victimization, and peer pressure concerns further increases the rate of depression among teens. Data suggest that as many as 50 percent of teens who bully or are bullied may meet the criteria for depression.
There is a difference in feelings of sadness that most teenagers experience and in clinical depression. How can you know if your depression warrants professional help?
TIME
How long do you have feelings of depression? If you feel depressed for part of a day or even for one to two days but then the feelings of depression go away and you no longer feel down, then this is likely not clinical depression. However, if you look back over the past two weeks and feel that for the majority of days you have been depressed, then this is likely clinical depression.
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
It is a normal part of teenage development to occasionally have some thoughts regarding what it would be like if you were dead. If these thoughts begin to consume a signifi cant amount of time (for example, occurring daily, every other day, or several times per week), then they can be symptoms of depression.
APPETITE AND SLEEP
If you begin to have changes in either your sleep or appetite, they may be attributed to depression. The changes can go either way. For example, if you are no longer hungry and fi nd yourself not interested in eating and begin to lose weight without trying, these are causes for concern. In addition, if you fi nd that you are hungry all the time and begin to gain weight, this can also be a symptom of depression. Simi- lar to appetite, problems with sleep are very common in depression. If you feel tired all the time, fi nd yourself increasing the length of time you sleep at night, and begin to take naps during the day, this may be due to depression. Other sleep problems associated with depression include having problems falling asleep, being unable to “turn off your mind,” or waking up repeatedly during the night.
IRRITABILITY, ANGER, AND GUILT
Although many parents and caregivers are able to recognize these symptoms in teens, they often don’t attribute them to depression.
By the time you are a teenager, you are probably aware of your nature with respect to how quick you get irritated with your family or peers. If you begin to notice that you lose your patience quickly and are increasingly frustrated with your parents or friends, then this is a warning sign. Guilty feelings are also a symptom of depres- sion. Feeling bad about your actions at school or home, even when they have not caused any serious harm, is a very common sign of depression.
LOSING INTEREST IN FRIENDS OR ACTIVITIES
Many teens have a wide variety of interests. This may include watch- ing TV, caring for a pet, playing computer games, speaking on the phone, or hanging out with friends. Any sudden change in your desire to do any of the activities you enjoy is likely a symptom of depression. Also, a symptom of depression is if you “force” yourself to continue with your usual activities but no longer take the enjoyment from them that you had in the past.
POOR CONCENTRATION OR AGITATION
Most teenagers spend a lot of time in a structured classroom setting. You may be taking fi ve to seven classes that require you to pay atten- tion. Because of this, it will probably be easy for you to tell if you are having problems focusing on what is being said. If you begin to daydream frequently or drift off in class, catching yourself after 10 to 20 minutes and not remembering what the teacher has said, then your concentration is negatively affected. If you formally were able to sit at your desk without problems but now fi nd yourself feeling jit- tery or agitated and feel the need to stand up or get out of your seat frequently, then this is a cause for concern.
ANXIETY
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in teen- agers and children. As many as one in fi ve teenagers may meet crite- ria for a clinical anxiety disorder. There are several different anxiety disorders, and the odds of having any of them increase when bullying or victimization are involved.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
The main feature of generalized anxiety disorder is worrying about multiple future events. When these worrying thoughts begin to occur on a daily or constant basis, then you may have GAD. Usually, people with GAD have a hard time focusing on day-to-day tasks and appear
TG PeerPressure PF.indd 87
preoccupied and distracted throughout the day. For teens it may be especially diffi cult to focus in the classroom setting.
SOCIAL PHOBIA
The main feature of social phobia is experiencing feelings of nervous- ness associated with upcoming events that occur in a social setting. For teens with social phobia, even making it to school each day can cause considerable anxiety. People with social phobia are usually concerned that something they say or do will bring ridicule to them, which makes them feel even more anxious. Your fear of doing some- thing embarrassing may lead you to cut classes or fi nd ways to skip school to avoid social situations.
PANIC DISORDER
Panic disorder is when you have experienced a panic attack and spend time worrying that you will have another panic attack. Panic attacks are sometimes associated with social phobia and other anxi- ety disorders as well. A panic attack is when you have the rapid onset
“It seems like you are having some problems with bullying.” “You seem sad lately—what’s going on?”
“How can I help you?” “Tell me what is going on.”
“You seem really down lately. Do you want to talk about it?” What Not to Say:
“Don’t be such a wimp.” “Just fi ght them.”
“Don’t tell anyone or it will get worse.”