Teen Depression

Introduction:
A. Teen depression is starting to become a problem.
B. When teens moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may
indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention adolescent
depression. (www.mentalhealthamerica.net)

C. Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent

feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your
teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional
and physical problems. (www.mayoclinic.org)
Counterargument:
A. An Adelaide University study has revealed that a large number of adolescents in
Australia perceive themselves to be depressed, but their parents seem unaware of
their problems and may not seek help for them. (www.adelaide.edu.au)
B. These adolescents are prone to risk-taking behavior and some may contemplate
suicide. (www.adelaide.edu.au)

C. It's highly important for someone with depression to seek help. When
someone has depression they may feel alone and may have thoughts of
suicide. It's important for them to see they are not alone. They need to seek
help so they don't act on those thoughts.
D. It's important for parents to see that depression is real. It comes with its
own set of symptom, causes, and treatment.
Main Point #1 (strong point): Symptoms/causes
A. Teens suffering with depression go through both emotional and behavioral
changes. Some emotional changes are feelings of hopelessness, loss of
interest or pleasure in normal activities, feelings of worthlessness, and many
more. Some behavioral changes are changes in appetite
(decreased/increased), social isolation, use of alcohol or drugs, frequent
complaints of unexplained body aches, and more. (www.mayoclinic.org)
B. General symptoms of depression, regardless of age, include having a
depressed or irritable mood for at least two weeks and having at least five
clinical signs and symptoms. Teens may experience a change in sleep
patterns (cant sleep/ over sleep), fatigue or loss of energy, trouble
concentrating, thoughts of death or suicide, and more.
(www.medicinenet.com)
C. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenagers personality, causing
an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger. (www.helpguide.org)
D. The cause of depression isnt exactly known, but it is believed to be a variety
of issues. It could be caused by biological chemistry, hormones, inherited

traits, early childhood trauma, and learned patterns of negative thinking.

(www.mayoclinic.org)
Main Point #2 (Stronger Point): Treatment options
A. Psychological Treatments- talk therapy, psychotherapy 2 types
(www.teenmentalhealth.org)

B. Medication- what it does, most common med. Prescribed

(www.teenmentalhealth.org), (www.webmd.com)
C. School/community supports- (www.teenmentalhealth.org)
D. Regular routine- healthy lifestyle (www.teenmentalhealth.org)
E. Depression is treatable, and there are many ways to treat it.
Main Point #3 (Strongest Point): Stats
A. 2014 statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(www.teenhelp.com)
B. Stats by gender and age: 17.3% of adolescents that had a major
depressive episode in 2014 were female.; 5.7% of adolescents that had a
major depressive episode in 2014 were male./;5.7% were 12 years old./ 8.7%
were 13 years old.; 10.7% were 14 years old.; 13.0% were 15 years old.;
14.1% were 16 years old.; 15.1% were 17 years old. (www.teenhelp.com)

C. Stats by race and ethnicity: 11.5% Hispanic; 12.0% White; 9.1% Black;
10.4% Asian; 6.9% American Indian/Alaska Native; 12.5% were of 2 or more
nationalities (www.teenhelp.com)

D. General Stats: 2.8 million youth age 12-17 had at least one major
depressive episode in 2014.; Between 10 to 15 percent of teenagers
have some symptoms of teen depression at any one time; About 5
percent of teens are suffering from major depression at any one time; As
many as 8.3 percent of teens suffer depression for at least a year at a
time, compared to about 5.3 percent of the general population.; Dysthymia,
a type of mild, long-lasting depression, affects about 2 percent of teens, and
about the same percentage of teens develop bipolar disorder in their late
teenage years. 15 percent of teens with depression eventually develop
bipolar disorder.; A small percent of teens also suffer from seasonal
depression, usually during the winter months in higher latitudes.; Most teens

with depression will suffer from more than one episode. 20 to 40 percent will
have more than one episode within two years and 70 percent will have more
than one episode before adulthood. Episodes of teen depression generally
last about 8 months. (www.teenhelp.com)
E. Teen depression can affect a teen regardless of gender, social background,
income level, race, or school or other achievements. (www.teenhelp.com)
Conclusion:
A. Teen depression is real and its becoming a problem. Depression affects
everyone differently, and has a wide range of symptoms.
B. There are treatments that can help.
C. Depression shouldn't be ignored. It's a real and serious problem.

Sources:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-teens
"Depression In Teens." Mental Health America. Web. 07 May 2016.
http://www.medicinenet.com/teen_depression/article.htm
Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne. "Teen Depression Symptoms, Causes,
Treatment - What Is Teen Depression? - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. Ed.
Melissa Conrad Stppler. Web. 07 May 2016.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/home/ovc-20164553
"Teen Depression." Overview. 16 Dec. 2015. Web. 07 May 2016.
https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-depression/teen-depression-statistics/

"Teen Depression Statistics & Facts - Teen Help." Teen Help. 2015. Web. 07
May 2016.
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news210.html
Sawyer, Michael. "Depression Turns Generation Gap into a
Chasm." Depression Turns Generation Gap into a Chasm. 2004. Web. 14
May 2016.
http://teenmentalhealth.org/learn/mental-disorders/depression/
"Depression." TeenMentalHealthorg. Web. 06 May 2016.
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression
"Teen Depression: Causes, Symptoms, Heredity, and Treatments."WebMD.
WebMD. Web. 12 May 2016.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/teen-depression-signs-help.htm
Smith, Melinda, and Jeanne Segal. "Parent's Guide to Teen Depression." A :
Learn the Signs of Depression in Teens and How You Can Help. Web. 08
May 2016.