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Common Mental
Health Issues
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Providers:
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Recognizing Adolescent Depression
- Poor performance in school
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Sadness and hopelessness
- Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation
- Anger and rage
- Overreaction to criticism
- Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals
- Poor self-esteem or guilt
- Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
- Restlessness and agitation
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Substance abuse
- Problems with authority
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Types Of Adolescent Depression
- Major depressive disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Major depression can be disabling and may prevent a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person's life.
- Dysthymic disorder is a long term (two years or longer) low mood that is less severe symptoms than major depression and may not disable a person but can prevent one from functioning normally or feeling well.
- Psychotic depression is a severe depressive illness accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations and delusions.
- Postpartum depression occurs when a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery (10 to 15 percent of mothers experience postpartum depression after giving birth).
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.
Links to Additional Online Information
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