What's stealing my joy? Understanding Major Depression in Teens
- Isabella M. Ronny R. Norton F. Kim J. Lilli V. Danitza P.
- Apr 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Note: From Sidney Sims. Unsplash
What's Stealing My Joy? Understanding Major Depression
Life can feel very overwhelming at times. It's normal to experience sadness, or low moods, here and there, but what if those feelings stick around and start to impact your daily life? That could be a sign of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
Mental health is more important for teens today than ever before. In this post, we'll talk about the importance of understanding major depression, how to recognize the symptoms, some risk factors, as well as different treatment options that are available.
By raising awareness on MDD, our goal is to encourage teens to recognize the signs of major depression, so they can seek support, and treatment, when needed.
What is Major Depression?
Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a serious mental illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and behave. Lasting for at least two weeks, it can cause feelings of extreme sadness or a loss of interest in activities you enjoy. MDD can also
change certain habits you have. In terms of sleep, MDD may cause you to start sleeping more or less than usual. Similarly, MDD can affect your eating habits, causing you to eat more, or less, than usual (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Depression is more than just feeling sad. In the United States, MDD affects millions of teens every year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), around 2.7% of adolescents aged 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. That's a staggering 2.7 million teens struggling with feelings of hopelessness and despair. This translates to roughly 1 in 40 teens experiencing MDD in a given year (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Why is understanding major depression crucial?
It's Common: It was shown that major depression affects about 5% of teens in Canada (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction [CAMH], 2015). Therefore, it’s very likely you or someone you know (i.e., a friend, family member, etc) has struggled with this mental health condition at one point.
Early Intervention is Key: Getting help earlier makes a big difference in the long run. If not treated, MDD can lead to problems in school performance, social isolation, substance abuse, and even suicide (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction [CAMH], 2015).
MDD symptoms to be aware of
A common symptom of MDD is experiencing a depressed mood or losing interest in activities you enjoy (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, other symptoms can include:
● Changes in appetite, or weight (either weight loss or gain)
● Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
● Feeling restless, or slowed down
● Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or thinking clearly
● Feeling worthless, or guilty
● Thinking about death or suicide: We have listed phone numbers you can call, below, under “Treatment Options”, if you’re feeling this way.
What's Going On In Your Brain?
Imagine your brain is like a super complex computer. When someone has Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), it's like their brain's software is glitching. Here's why:
Serotonin: This brain chemical can either be a party planner, or a party pooper. In a healthy brain, as the party planner, it helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and digestion, but when serotonin levels are low, it's like the party pooper is calling all the shots, making you feel down and sluggish (Mayo Clinic, 2023)
Norepinephrine: This neurotransmitter is like the Energizer Bunny of the brain. It helps you focus, pay attention, and feel motivated. When norepinephrine levels are low, it's like the bunny is losing their energy, making you feel tired and unable to focus (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
Brain structure: Some parts of the brain, like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, that help with memory, decision-making, and controlling emotions, might be smaller or not as
active as they should be (MacQueen et al., 2018). It's like having a weaker processor in your computer.
Risk Factors
Family history: Genetics play a significant role in depression. If you have a close family member (such as a parent or sibling) with depression, your risk of developing depression is 2 to 3 times greater than someone without a family history.
Going through a tough time: Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Negative events such as breakups, death of a loved one, or going through a big change like moving can all trigger depression.
Medical conditions: Certain chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, can increase your risk of having major depression.
Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol can make symptoms of depression much worse and can be a sign of an underlying mood disorder.
Personality: People struggling with low self-esteem, negative thoughts, or difficulty managing or coping with stress may be more vulnerable to MDD (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
Treatment Options
If you're struggling with MDD symptoms, don't be ashamed to seek help. It's the bravest thing you can do! Here are some things that can help:
Psychotherapy: Different types of talk therapies, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help people recognize their negative thought patterns and improve their coping skills.
Medication: There are medications that can help rebalance your brain chemicals, which minimizes the symptoms of MDD. A medical doctor, like a psychiatrist, can prescribe them for you. Only take medication that was recommended to you by a doctor. They are the experts that figure out which brain chemicals are out of balance.
Lifestyle changes: Exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, having a healthy diet, and getting good quality sleep all help improve mood and overall well-being.
Support groups: Connecting with others who have experienced depression can provide valuable peer support and encouragement (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
If you're experiencing symptoms of MDD, talk to a trusted adult, friend, crisis hotline, or a mental health professional. Here are some helpful resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call OR text 988 - Available 24/7 and toll-free
● Free and confidential service available in both Canada and the United States.
CSPS: 1-833-456-4566 - Available 24/7 and toll-free
● The new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) by Crisis Services Canada, allows
callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support by phone, in French and English.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 OR text CONNECT to 686868
● Allows youth, ages 20 and under in Canada, to seek support regarding any mental health or well-being related issues.
TXT 4 HELP: Text the word “safe” AND your current location to 44357
● This crisis service is specifically for teenagers in the United States that need immediate
help through interactive texting.
Closing
Overall, MDD is a serious mental health condition that impacts millions of teens. Although it can be hard to talk about, remember there’s always help available! The first step to healing, as well as feeling better, starts by reaching out to someone you trust and talking about what you’re going through. Reassure yourself that this condition IS treatable, and if you tackle the struggles of MDD earlier, you can feel better.
Call to Action
Have questions or want to share your experiences? Leave a comment below or reach out to a mental health professional. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and supported!
Experiencing major depression is common, but unfortunately stigma still surrounds it. Help us raise awareness! Share this post with your friends and family. Let's talk openly about mental health.
Note. From Eleatell. Pixabay.
References
American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5TM (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
BetterHelp Editorial Team. (2024, March 6). How depression affects you: 15 Examples of depressed affect | BetterHelp.https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/depression/how-depression-affects-you-15-examples-of-depr essed-affect/
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CAMH). (2015, September). Major depressive disorder.
MacQueen, G. M., Yucel, K., Taylor, V. H., Macdonald, K., & Joffe, R. (2008). Posterior hippocampal volumes are associated with remission rates in patients with major depressive disorder. Biological psychiatry, 64(10), 880–883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.06.027
Mayo Clinic. (2022, May 17). Major depressive disorder.
Mayo Clinic. (2023, April 12). Teen depression: Symptoms and causes.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022, October 14). Major depressive disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, July). Depression.
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
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