Colegio teresiano Los Ángeles.
Name: Bárbara Villanueva
Grade: 1 st high B
Date: 24th, 25th September
Teacher: Angela Chaparro
Subject: English

Adolescent depression is a mental and emotional disorder affecting adolescents and teens. More commonly referred to as teenage depression, adolescent depression is not medically different from adult depression. However, symptoms in teens may manifest in different ways than they do in adults. This is due to the different social and developmental challenges faced by teens.
Objectives

Explain what depression is.
 What Causes teen depression.
 Symptoms of depression.
 Treatment.

What is depression?
Depression is a mood state that goes well beyond temporarily feeling sad or blue.
It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood and physical health. Depression is a life-long condition in which periods of wellness alternate with recurrences of illness.
How common is depression in children and teens, and who is at risk?
Depression is often thought of as an adult illness and not always recognized when it affects children and teens, but depression’s persistent symptoms interfere with a young person’s success at home and school. The National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH) estimates that approximately 11 percent of adolescents have a depressive disorder by age 18.
During childhood, the number of boys and girls affected by depression are almost equal. In adolescence, twice as many girls as boys are diagnosed. Well over onehalf of depressed adolescents have a recurrence within seven years.
Children and teens that are at higher risk for depression include those who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct, learning or anxiety disorders and oppositional defiance disorder. Experiencing considerable stress, trauma, facing a significant loss or a family history of mood disorders increases a young person’s risk.
Are there any special treatment considerations for children and teens?
Suicidal thoughts are a concern for young adults with depression. It is important to have regular care assessments, monitoring and follow-up, particularly in the first months of medication treatment. The FDA has issued a strong “black box” warning about the risk of increased suicidal thoughts and actions in a small percentage young people under the age of 25.
Bipolar disorder is also a concern. Children and adolescents who first experience a major depressive episode may, over time, be predisposed to bipolar disorder.

What Causes Adolescent Depression?
There is no single known cause of adolescent depression. Research into the cause of depression has led experts to determine that multiple factors could lead to depression, including: (Mayo)
Differences in the Brain
Research has shown that adolescents have structural differences in their brains, as compared to adults. Besides the shape and structure, teens with depression can also have hormone differences and different levels of neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are key chemicals in the brain that affect how brain cells communicate with one another. These hormones and neurotransmitters play important roles in regulating moods and behavior, which is why they could lead to depression.
Traumatic Early Life Events
Most children do not have good coping mechanisms, so a traumatic event can leave a lasting impression. Loss of a parent or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can leave lasting effects on a child’s brain that could contribute to depression.
Inherited Traits
Research shows that depression has a biological component. It can be passed down from parents to their children. Children who have one or more close relatives —especially a parent—with depression are more likely to suffer from depression themselves.
Learned Patterns of Negative Thinking
Teens regularly exposed to pessimistic thinking, especially from their parents, have also been linked to depression. Differing theories exist as to the extent of the effect this can have on a child. However, learning to feel helpless instead of learning to overcome challenges can lead to depression.

We can conclude that depression is a mood state that goes well beyond temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood and physical health. There are multiple reasons why a teenager might become depressed. School performance, social status with peers, sexual orientation, or family life can each have a major effect on how a teen feels. The symptoms of the teen depression can be: Apathy, Complaints of pains, include, stomachaches, low back pain, or fatigue, the kind of depression treatment that's best for you depend on the type of depression you have. For example, some patients with clinical depression are treated with psychotherapy, and some are prescribed antidepressants. Others are prescribed antidepressants and psychotherapy.

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/003213.htm http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8933.php http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/what-causes-depression http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depresi%C3%B3n www.webconsultas.com/categoria/salud-al-dia/depresion www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/es/ kidshealth.org › Teens › Para adolescentes