Signs that can identify depression in adolescents | Science and health

Depression is a disease with a psychiatric diagnosis that can be triggered by both the genetic load and the environment in which the person is inserted. There is no consensus on what would prevail.

"Every child exhibits his predisposed genetic burden.He can be very sensitive with a significant genetic burden and the least negative stimulus can precipitate the onset of a symptom, that it's noticeable. act of an anxiety crisis or a phobia, "he says. Lee Fu, psychiatrist, child and adolescent specialist and author of three books on the subject.

However, a depressive picture can only be verified if there is a constant feeling of sadness, for no apparent reason, for at least 15 days. The diagnosis depends on the family history of psychiatric illness and there is no clinical test to date, such as blood tests or magnetic resonance imaging, to identify the disorder.

Responsible for the program on emotional disorders of childhood and adolescence at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo (USP), Lee explains that adolescents constitute a vulnerable audience because they continue to acquire "alternatives to cope with life and, have more frustrations." That's why, according to her, what happens in school counts in the lives of young people and can not be neglected.

"When they come to the office, they always bring the tip of the iceberg." Parents say, "My son is very shy, simple, does not go to parties, stays at home to play video games, like abuse or the temper of young people," says Lee.

But what are signs that can help identify the disease?

Falling School Performance

With regard to children and adolescents, depressive symptoms inevitably result in lower school performance because one of the symptoms is the modification of the form and speed of reasoning, according to Lee Fu It is also common that these students miss more students in clbad.

"The child says that he is careful, but he does not remember all that he has studied. "It may be students who once had good grades, but now the head does not work.

The change of school report is usually the big warning sign for parents.The psychiatrist says that it is not possible to generalize and badert that the school does not address this type of problem, but recognizes that public networks and The private sector can not take into account all the problems inherent in childhood and adolescence.

"The public school can take half of the cases because it has fewer resources, less teachers, but there are good educators, even excessive sinners."

Leaving the school does not always solve the problem. "Sometimes the child or adolescent needs to change the environment because the school does not have time to solve the problem, such as phobia, insecurity and anxiety, but it depends on case. "

Behavior Change

A depressive picture is not always related to melancholy, sadness and introspection. Behaviors such as excessive mood, irritation or even increased appetite and sleep can also be symptoms of depression.

"Schools sometimes change habits as the teenager becomes more and more quiet or isolated, and some schools have this focus," Lee explains.

In addition to falling academic results, the other symptoms of depression are mood changes, apathy and excessive crying. The teenager can also become grumpy and complain about not knowing what to do.

Weight changes, changes in sleep (for example, taking longer to sleep and having more nightmares) and low self-esteem can also be signs. Another characteristic is the loss of the ability to feel pleasure with things that were once pleasant.

WHO data show that suicide accounts for 1.4% of all deaths in the world, becoming in 2012 the 15th leading cause of death in the general population. Among the 15-29 year olds, it is the second leading cause of death, losing only external causes such as homicides and climatic accidents.

However, not all cases of suicide are related to depression. According to the psychiatrist Arthur Danila, of the Institute of Psychiatry of the USP Hospital das Clínicas, it can be estimated that untreated depression increases the chances that a person thinks of suicide.

In more serious cases, depressed teens can talk or think about death. "The lack of hope that we find much in depressed people is one of the psychological factors most related to suicidal ideation," Danila said.

Absence of plans for the future

Lack of commitment to the future, apathy, fear and insecurity of adolescents were problems that arose during vocational guidance work done by the psychologist Erica da Costa Garcia, of Espírito Santo. .

Erica is working for a career guidance application through videos called Kuau for students in the public network of several Brazilian states. While the role of the platform is to help young people find their calling and add affinities to the professional choice, the symptoms of depression have been identified as a reason for youth to stop. access the application.

"We have 15-year-old boys who are hired for the future, but not 20". What we saw was that when we started to look at career counseling, there were other deeper and more serious issues. is treated, one can not give free rein to an badertive professional choice that reflects his identity. "

According to the psychologist, if the student has a fundamental emotional problem to solve, it is not possible to progress and work career guidance, for example." It is not possible to decide the career if the young person does not have autonomy as a whole. "The adolescence is characterized by high levels of depression and anxiety.

From these comments, Kuau began to offer seminars and trainings to which teachers addressed issues such as depression in the clbadroom. "The school is very worried, but it has not gotten off the ground. tool to map and treat the problem. "

The pleasure in the virtual world only

Emb When young people have a very close relationship with the Internet, this can become a problem when the virtual world becomes their only source of pleasure.

"When the young man becomes hyperconnected to the virtual world and disconnected from the real world, he ends up having no experience of life, he is less compromised, an emotionally fragile young psychologist Erica da Costa Garcia. 19659034] For Lee Fu, depression is apparent to an allergy. "Once you have it, you know it will happen, you simply do not know when. When you start treating it with a therapy or medication, it's a one-year observation. "

Not all cases are medicated. When there is a prescription, it must be done with great caution and follow-up to adjust the dose.For mild depressive disorders, there is an indication of psychotherapy, often also for families.

"But evaluation by psychiatrists can help a lot to define the better behavior in each case, and of course, early identification of symptoms and adequate reference to the care of a specialized professional, "reinforces Arthur Danila.

Prevention remains the best cure. remember the doctor, the practice of physical activity, a healthy diet, sleep in sufficient quantity and quality, and the promotion of friendly and constructive and solid social relations are good contributions.