Teen Depression Vastly Undertreated, New Study Finds
Rona LoPresti, Ph.D.
Are you concerned that your teenager may be showing signs of depression or
other emotional problems? A new study emphasizes that parents should not
dismiss these signs as mere moodiness, manipulative behavior, or as a stage
their adolescent will outgrow. In fact without treatment a staggering 75 percent
of such teens will continue to have emotional problems in adulthood.
Research (Kaslow and Thompson, 1998) has shown that depressed children and
adolescents benefit from psychotherapy and that improvements are maintained
after treatment ends. Nonetheless, according to research published in the
American Journal of Psychiatry, 80 percent of emotionally troubled teens
surveyed did not receive needed treatment, with negative consequences such as
substance abuse and recurrence of depression in adulthood. “Especially at risk
for a recurrence of major depression are depressed teenage girls who clash with
parents; or any teenager who experiences more than one episode of depression,
or who has a family history of recurrent depression.” (Eureka Alert,
http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/apa-vmo092500.htm.) According to these
researchers, among the untreated teens, only one-forth were free of any
disorder at age 24.
A related and great concern to parents is the increasing frequency of suicide
among teens. Reported suicide among adolescents has tripled over the period
1952-1995, and is now the third most frequent cause of death in this age group.
Most teens who attempt suicide display clear warning signs according to the
National Mental Health Association such as:
Suicide threats, direct and indirect
Obsession with death
Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
Dramatic change in personality or appearance
Irrational, bizarre behavior
Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or refection
Changed eating or sleeping patterns
Severe drop in school performance
Giving away belongings
(NMHA, http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/82.cfm)
If your adolescent displays these behaviors, your caring can make a difference.
 Don’t lecture—listen
 Be supportive, accepting and caring
 Ask direct questions about the person’s intentions




Offer help, reassurance and alternatives
Remove possible weapons or medications that may be utilized in a suicide
Attempt
Alert other adults, such as parents and teachers
Seek professional help immediately
Additional resources are listed below. Check these for assistance in assessing
and responding to adolescents with emotional problems.
Please note, this article is not a substitute for professional advice. It seeks to
provide only a brief introduction to some important problems facing adolescents
today. If you suspect a problem, especially one that is serious or if you are
concerned about the possibility of suicide, you should promptly obtain
professional help.
-----------------------------------Other Resources
The American Psychological Association has a pamphlet written for teens about
mental health issues available on the Internet at
http://helping.apa.org/changeyourmind/index.html.
The American Association of Suicidology has an informative article on signs and
actions to take if you are concerned about suicide at
http://www.suicidology.org/understandingsuicide.htm
To locate a crisis center or support group near you, go to
http://www.suicidology.org/index.html
The American Mental Health Association has a pamphlet on teen suicide at
http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/82.cfm
Teen Education and Crisis Hotline – (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, crisis support)
1-800-367-7287.
---------------------“Natural Course of Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder in a Community
Sample: Predictors of Recurrence in Young Adults” by Peter M. Lewinsohn, Ph.D.,
et. al., p. 1584, American Journal of Psychiatry, October 2000.
Kaslow, N. and Thompson, M. P. (1998). Applying the criteria for empirically
supported treatments to studies of psychosocial interventions for child and
adolescent depression.
Journal of Clinical Child Psychology. Vol 27(2) 146-155