Adolescent depression: prevalence, symptoms, and treatment approaches

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Puberty in both males and females involves many biological changes. It is a hugely significant transition stage through which youth go as they grow into adults with legal age. Changes that occur during puberty identify mainly in four ways; (1) physically; (2) socially; (3) emotionally; and (3) cognitively. Some of the changes that occur are change in body shape, hormonal growth, and mental growth. The period of adolescence comes along with numeral predicted issues which might rather alter one's life if not properly natured. It is the duty of the counseling professionals, parents/guardians and the concerned individuals to counter the issues. Some of the challenges experienced include substance (drug) abuse, psychology depression, alcoholism, early pregnancies, just, but to mention a few. This paper discusses the details.

Current Issues Facing Adolescents Today

Adolescents encounter numerous challenges during their puberty period. Life changes that specialists define physically, emotionally, socially as well as cognitively, are the main causes of these challenges. Details of adolescent issues are as below.

Adolescent Depression

Psychology depression definitively is a disease that causes affliction to the psyche of a normal human. The reaction to such is that the afflicted party tends to counteract abnormally against others and sometimes themselves. This being factual, adolescent depression heavily connects to teen suicides all around the world. This case currently presents responsibility for more youth deaths victims being 15-19 years of age mostly. Such statistics are in comparison head to head with the likes of cancer and cardiovascular disease in the top most causes of death list. Considering this fact, depression in the subject age group is still considerably under diagnosed. This leads to other mishaps like work and school difficulties, and personal adjustment continuing into adulthood in some cases. Mood disorders in children are hard to clarify because the symptoms take on different forms compared to adults. Puberty is mainly a time of mood swings, emotional turmoil, and gloomy thoughts including heightened sensitivity. The concerned parties are mostly rebellious and always experimenting. Diagnosis of adolescent depression, therefore, should not only rely on the physician's credibility, but also those of their parents, guardians, and friends, individuals that interact with the patient. Attributes such as anxiety often come along with mood disorders (Lasko, 1996, pg 53).

Most cases of adolescent depression reported are mild a sequence of some psychotherapy session being an effective form of treatment. These sessions involve deep listening and issuance of encouragement and advice to the patient as well as the supporters. There are cases of comorbidity and possible pathology in teenagers including anxiety. Such should be tested for and treated in time. There are cases of depression that are otherwise serious and require medication without which can escalate becoming fatal to one's health. Despite the fact that most teenagers successfully overcome psychological and emotional obstacles, it is proper to seek professional advice as stress overwhelms others. Adolescents diagnosed with depression can receive help from a number of subjects during recovery. Such include school counselors, parents, teachers, and health professionals.

Adolescent Eating Behavior

Puberty as a life development stage has many changes that may be biological, socio-cultural or cognitive. Adolescents are much more vulnerable compared to adults as health behaviors kick in as a tremendously influential factor in shaping up their future lives. Today's adolescent is due to a number of unhealthy indulgences that would rather distort their bright future. Some of the behaviors include; smoking, unhealthy sex, and drug abuse just, but to mention a few. Such actions in life, especially at puberty, can lead to immediate and drastic consequences, but there exists other unhealthy mannerisms such as unhealthy eating habits and inadequate physical activity adding to the risk causative factors (Stevenson, 2007, pg 424).

The adolescents of today engage in "destructive" eating behaviors putting their lifelines on timelines considering the numerous diseases that might occur in their later life. These diseases and conditions include; cancer, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease among others. The habit of many adolescents today diminishes of supremely fundamental physical activity or exercise while engaging unhealthy diet habits. Such occurrences have highlighted nutritional issues as a precise, valuable discussion topic when it comes to adolescents (Bares, 2011, pg 227).

Recent research reports show that cardiovascular disease starts at the childhood stage. A compelling example is the study conducted by Krummel, Fitch, Neal, Gonzales, and Kelly as they examined a total of 279 children. The report stated that over 23% of children are vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. This was despite the fact that fat, fiber, cholesterol, and energy intake was the same. Children need to change their diets in order avoid cardiovascular disease. High risk individuals should seek proper medical guidelines with the aim of reducing risk for the disease.

Although most adolescents are knowledgeable of the importance of having a healthy diet, they still maintain destructive eating habits namely; irregular meals, meal skipping, fast food, and excessive snacking. Peer influence, employment, media influence, family influence are some of the causes of such habits (Mahan & Escott-Stump, 2008, pg 35). It is noteworthy that counselors, parents, teachers, peers and other caring adults sensitize the importance of observing one's nutrition to the adolescents whose concern is with "fitting in" and trying to take on adult-like life. Bad eating habits play a crucial role in development of obesity issues, which in turn contributes to diseases like the cardiovascular disease (Doomwaard et al., 2012, pg 1372).

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

This is one of the commonest of challenges facing the10-19-year-old age group. It is prominent in developing countries compared to established states. This means that the prevalence of the argued case is higher in the sub-Saharan Africa compared to European states. The new communication systems all over the world expose most adolescents to widespread ways of thinking. Many adolescents engage in premarital sex before reaching the age of 18. This creates a leeway for the HIV / AIDS virus among the many sexual transmitted diseases in most states (Juarez et al., 2008, pg 241). Factors contributing to pre-marital sexual indulgence differ all wide round ranging from increased exposure period of the risk of engagement to increased rate of sexual initiation, in the case of African countries.

As adolescents engage in premarital sexual practices, there is the likelihood of high risk creation in terms of unintended pregnancies, unplanned or early births, and unsafe abortion. Adolescent girls are the most vulnerable parties to the risks arising from unprotected sexual activity. The latter applies mainly to the African countries still conservative. Hormonal changes that occur in the body of a teenage mainly trigger such behaviors. It is responsible for physical changes, which are mainly visible to the females i.e. The body of the female becomes voluptuous causative of attracting unwanted attention from the males (Bazargan, 2010, pg 288).

In order to guide interventions concerning adolescent sexual health, professionals apply Social and Cognitive-based models. Such models boost the intervention for comprehensive risk reduction. Counseling against irresponsible sexual behavior involves disseminating outcome information to the client and the target group at large (such information includes pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, etc.), skill development, personalization of skills, and enhancement of social support (Nickerson et al., 2006, pg 683).

Considering the area of risk prevention and reduction programs, interventions are seemingly the preferable means in promotion of condom use uptake. This rides along with the successful reduction of sexual partners in numbers. Promotion of abstinence interventions are less effective compared to those that promote the use of contraception. Most of the irresponsible sexual behavior promotion interventions seek the common ground of changing an individual's health behavior by altering their barriers and attitudes for the betterment of their lives. These interventions have proved to be effective in achieving sexual behavior change for many individuals. Strict follow-up is necessary to ensure that the subjects maintain the changes that develop during the intervention.

Adolescent Egocentrism

During the adolescent stage, there is a revamp of the egocentric stage. This stage mainly emphasizes on cognitive and social factors adding in are personal fable and imaginative audience creation by the subject persons (Sullivan, 2012, pg 692). This stage creates the tendency of the adolescent believing that the world is an audience and that they are constantly under watch by them. This explains the behavioral aspect of many adolescents e.g. extended time in front of the mirror mostly fixing their hair and putting on makeup.

A good example of imaginary audience is when a teenage girl or boy gets a pimple on the face. They constantly feel like there are persons always in the surrounding aware of the pimple and mostly they treat it as if it is a colossal tragedy. In reality, the individuals that surround them are barely aware of the pimple. The egocentric stage is quite difficult to handle for the adolescents. Considering the fact that they always feel like they are under constant pressure to create that perfect image out of themselves. The concept of imaginary audience is a key driving force in this case. The persons that can put them under pressure include peers, friends, parents, colleagues etc. This kind of unwanted pressure, also acts as a key contributing factor to unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. Mostly the purpose is to create the feeling of acceptance.

Puberty is one of the hardest stages in life for every individual. The main reason being that, it is the focal point for most of life growth and development. There are numerous hormonal changes making it a tremendously difficult and emotional time. The personal fable during puberty is when the adolescent feel like they out stand every other person in the world (Sullivan et al., 2012, pg 700).

The first counseling objective of every professional is to establish proper patient communication. It is beneficial that the counselor understands the patient's behavior namely; how they view and interact with his/counterparts. It is essential for the counselor in that it allows them to adjust their counseling programs to fit the patients'/client's communication ability. This is of course after taking into account physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional immaturity as the client's attributes. Such techniques are appropriate while communicating to adolescents who are otherwise not fully developed adults.

Adolescent Thinking

Most adolescents, within the 10-13 years age bracket, exhibit the characteristic of adolescent thinking. They mainly focus on their own selves excluding the other parties surrounding them. An adolescent might have the belief that his feelings, thoughts, and experiences are unique and more meaningful than those of others (Berger, 2007, pg 90).

Adolescent egocentrism, which creates the personal belief that the teenager is better and momentous than their counterparts, come along with the establishment of new mental abilities. Teenagers create an imaginary audience heightening their self-consciousness. Teenagers mostly believe that, others, especially peers are on the lookout for them. Their conscience tells them that their peers think about them always and that they always have an interest in their behaviors and thoughts.

Most adolescents consume large amounts of time mainly thinking about themselves and the way others ("imaginary audience") are doing the same i.e. monitoring and thinking about them. Female adolescents exhibit this behavior more than male adolescents. It increases during the early stages of puberty. Its peek comes around at about 14-16 years age group. The main difference between adolescent egocentrism and its equal during pre-operational thought is that adolescents exhibit a complete mind theory, unlike children. They are wary of the fact other parties have personal thoughts as well; their conscience does not ignore others. Instead of that, it distorts the understanding of others on what they might be thinking about them (Berger, 2007, pg 105).

The first counseling objective of every professional is the establishment of communication channels through which to interact with the patient. Intervention programs call for the counselor to understand the patient's behavior namely; how they view and interact with his/counterparts. It is indispensable for the counselor in that it allows them to adjust their counseling programs to fit the patients'/client's communication ability. This is of course after taking into account physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional immaturity as the client's attributes. Such techniques are appropriate while communicating to adolescents who are otherwise not fully developed adults.

Adolescent Schizophrenia

This is a brain disorder that makes people interpret the reality abnormally. Diagnosis of schizophrenia is mainly at early adult life, but the diagnosis of adolescents with this disorder has over time become a critical concern. Diagnosis off this disorder during puberty reports more severe cases than adulthood diagnosis. Diagnosis of teenagers, mostly, with the subtype of disorganized schizophrenia. Such exhibit a behavioral factor where the patient responds to events in less sensitive manner. Some of the symptoms include; disorganized speech, disorganized behavior e.g. abrupt shouting and/or inappropriate emotional expression.

Some symptoms are noticeable in adolescents while are absent in adults, such include; prevalence of cognitive impairment, reading, language, and motor development delays, as well as bladder control. Causes of the schizophrenia disorder remain unknown while genetics and environmental influences remaining to play a role in its diagnosis. Risk factors leading to this disorder exist in numbers namely; exposure to viruses, family history of schizophrenia, and most importantly adolescent psychoactive drug abuse (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research). The fact that adolescents with schizophrenia experience the world on a different perspective from others, they communicate illogically, in a disorganized manner, and imaginary. This makes it hard for patients to establish credible friendships with the outside world (Vinet and Faundez, 2012, pg 206).

The disadvantage is to teenagers with this disorder in that the diagnosis of schizophrenia is extremely hard purposed to applying adult diagnosis to adolescents. The rarity of this disorder also calls for increased attention as little experience in pinpointing the disorder is a substantial disadvantage to the psychiatrists. A psychiatrist assessing an adolescent schizophrenic involves reviewing their social, medical, and family history; interviewing the youth, teachers, parents and guardians, and other close persons to assess the patient's behavior, thinking patterns, and perceptions; brain and blood tests for any medical conditions that might otherwise be a symptom causative agent. Specialists conduct other tests to assess functional abilities and cognitive skills. Any establishes psychotic behavior must last for at least six months with complete exclusion of other causes of symptoms.

Therapy interventions are not enough to deal with schizophrenia and so calls for medical interventions also as part of treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Psychosis is clearly evident in patients with this disorder. Psychosis detaches individuals from the world of reality. Some of the symptoms exhibited include distorted thoughts, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. Considering all these, psychiatrists prescribe antipsychotics to eradicate the symptoms in turn avoiding recurrence of the same. An example of such medication is Thorazine which is as well-known as Chlorpromazine.

Adolescent Community Violence

Incidences of adolescent violence can be partly attributable to rising sequences of occurrences culminating from unintended outcomes by the participants. Such incidents are prominent amongst the schooling population at different frequencies, types and dynamics. Some of the causatives of youth violence are; medication to children by psychiatrists, media's role in the community, TV programs, movies, and video/computer games. Other causes of violence involve incidents that are evident in today's families due to separation, divorce, raising children in foster homes, harsh living environment, and involvement in gangs, substance or drug abuse, drinking alcohol, constant bullying at schools, and finally allowing easy access to dangerous weapons to the youth (Jaycox et al., 2003, pg 248).

Co-factors like egocentrism steer forward adolescent community violence, where the teenage thinks of him/herself as the better party. This issue has overly been in serious as well as dangerous contention in the society of today. The matter does not involve only the youth by the public at large. Failure of the public to observe the precise measures to ensure cut down in youth violence can as well brand them as the cause of it.

The better population in the society that does not engage in such violence should be the whistle blowers of violent propellers. The big problem with this concept is that individuals tend to keep to themselves that which might be reported and resolved easily. It is the wish of every parent, to see of their adolescent children to school to get educated and not to receive notices that the child receives recurrent assault from his/her peers.

During puberty, adolescents go against a number of developmental difficulties in their areas of residence -- school, home, and the community where they live to see meaningful experiences. Unlike adults who at one point in life will seek professional help on account to such incidents, adolescents will fail to seek such help. Adding to that, they often resist help whenever offered (Undheim et al., 2011, pg 294).

Grouping and collective counseling of adolescents with difficulties in managing their emotional and social lives namely, anger, is the main agenda. This setting is to help the patient control and change this behavior. Some of the themes of group counseling include: dealing with family change i.e. separation, divorce, and even adoption, depression, death just, but to mention a few.

Conclusion

Puberty is, in fact, one of the hardest stages in life for every individual. The main reason being, it is the focal point for most of life growth and development. There are numerous hormonal changes making it an immensely difficult and emotional time. The personal fable during puberty is when the adolescent feel like they out stand every other person in the world (Sullivan et al., 2012, pg 695). Human Service professionals are an essential addition in the management of problems faced by adolescents during puberty. This is because they formulate client-friendly treatment plan depending on the patient's needs as they work together with their therapists (Martin and Michelle, 2007, pg 198). Peer pressure remains the commonest and a crucial factor in consideration of the causes of most adolescent problems. Most adolescent issues require parent involvement if the main intention is to decrease the probability of falling back to the previous behaviors after an intervention.