Adolescent Depression

Adolescent Depression

A common "disease" of teenagers, which is 2 times more common in girls, and generally regarded as a normal reaction ("To be normal during adolescence is by itself abnormal" –Anna Freud) to the stress of maturation, the influence of hormone and conflicts of independence with parents, which may be exacerbated by the death of a close friend or relative, a breakup with a boy- or girlfriend, failure at school.
Clinical findings Appetite changes (usually decreased, sometimes increased), loss of concentration, indecisiveness, episodic memory loss, fatigue, restlessness and irritability, low self-esteem, discouragement, hopelessness, sadness, loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, suicide or suicidal ideation, changed sleep patterns—too much or too little sleep.