Is It Normal To Have Depression In Schools?
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Depression is a common mental disorder that causes severe symptoms which can impact daily activities such as sleeping, eating, working, and studying. Just how common is the disorder? According to the World Health Organization, it impacts approximately 280 million people worldwide, including children, teens, and adults. In 2021 alone, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5 million teens in the United States reported depressive symptoms. From mild depression to severe depression, symptoms can be serious and may require treatment to be managed.
Depression can impact both your mental and physical health, making it difficult to complete day-to-day tasks. It can also lead to suicide, which is the fourth leading cause of death in people 15-29 years old. It’s a leading cause of disability worldwide, and statistics show that it’s a large factor in the overall global burden of disease.
For adolescents experiencing depression in high school, social relationships, schoolwork, and transitioning into adulthood can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways to handle mental health challenges and find support for your medical condition. Depression is fairly common and highly treatable, and you are not alone.
What are the symptoms of depression in teenagers?
Symptoms of depression in teens can be similar to those in adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, commonly reported signs and symptoms of a depressive disorder include:
Feeling down or experiencing sadness that lasts at least two weeks
Irritability or anger outbursts
Insomnia or sleeping more than usual
Changes in weight or appetite
Self-esteem issues
Self-harming behaviors
Feeling fatigued or tired
Hopelessness or worthlessness
Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
Isolating from family or friends
Skipping school or classes
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling guilty for no identifiable reason
Feeling numb
Substance abuse
Suicidal thoughts or urges*
Teen depression may cause challenges during school, after-school programs, or within the family. During a depressive episode, a teen may struggle to complete assignments or seem withdrawn from school activities, such as sports, clubs, or dances. They may experience a combination of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. This is not an exhaustive list— other symptoms may present during a depressive episode– so it’s always best to reach out to an adult if you’re concerned about how you’ve been feeling.
Is it normal to have depression in high school?
Although depression is not uncommon, experiencing clinical depression is not a normal part of development. If you're an adolescent, you may experience distressing symptoms and wonder if something is wrong. Talking to your parents, school counselors, or therapist about these thoughts andfeelings can be essential in managing a depressed mood. Many schools offer counseling groups, accommodations, and resources for teens experiencing depression.
Causes of teenage depression
Transitions and their impact on depression in schools
Adolescence is often a stage of life full of changes and transitional periods. Teens may go through puberty, explore sexuality and gender, learn more about their romantic interests, attend school, and start planning for adult life.
The switch from childhood to adolescence can be challenging. Hormone levels are often higher during puberty, and your body may start changing in confusing ways. Studies indicate that puberty in those assigned female at birth can cause an elevated risk of depression. Additionally, hormones like estrogen and testosterone can cause mood changes as they increase in your body.
Commonly reported stressful events for adolescents may include:
Demands of school and work
Parental divorce or separation
Moving homes, cities, states, or countries
Financial stress in the family
Social conflicts with friends at school
Self-esteem and body issues
High expectations or too many extracurricular activities
Personal illness or illness in the family
World events
Social media expectations
Planning for college or adult life
Homelessness or living in a group home
Hospitalization for mental health
Childhood trauma or abuse*
Social media and body image: Effects on depression and behavioral health in teens
Social media often exposes users to a significant level of marketing and media. This media may showcase specific beauty standards, utilize heavy editing, and market toward a particular audience.
In 2021, the University of Twente conducted a study on teens using the social media platform TikTok. The study found that the app and the media contained in it had profoundly harmful impacts on the mental health and body image of teens.
In another recent study on social media and adolescence, researchers found that 95% of teen girls report seeing negative comments related to beauty standards and body image through comments, videos, photos, and posts. 72% of those girls witnessed this weekly.
Body image issues may be a significant factor in depression or other mental disorders or mood disorders, such as eating disorders. As a parent, limiting children's social media usage can be beneficial in helping to prevent depression. As a teen, following accounts that promote body positivity and self-love may be a valuable way to safeguard your mental health.
Family dysfunction
Teens experiencing stress or traumatic events in the family may struggle with mental health. A recent PubMed study showed that teens living in a hostile or dysfunctional family environment were more likely to develop depression and that parent-child relationships can influence mental health.
Bullying
Bullying has a direct correlation with depression and mental health issues. In some of the most recent details available from the National Institute for Mental Health, it’s asserted that more than 20% of middle and high school students experience traditional bullying during the school year. Bullying prevention in schools and communities can be essential for the health of young kids and adolescents.
If you're a teen experiencing bullying at school or in your social circle, reach out for support. The Teens Against Bullying site has a list of resources for adolescents being bullied and those who want to speak up against bullying at their schools.
Genetics
Depression can be a hereditary disorder. Scientists estimate that depression has a hereditary rate of 40-50%. If a close biological family has a history of depression, you could be more at risk for experiencing depression. However, depression is treatable, and there are methods of getting support.
Substance use
According to Mental Health America, substance abuse and depression can be involved in a reciprocal relationship where one leads to the other. Mood disorders– such as depression and bipolar disorder– may often co-occur with substance use disorders.
How to get support for high school depression
There are several options for teens experiencing symptoms of depression to try to find support.
Talk to your caregiver
Before talking to a parent or caregiver, ensure you are in a safe location and are not at risk of abuse or maltreatment. If this individual is unaware of your mental health symptoms, ask them if you can talk about what is going on in your life as well as treatment possibilities.
Be as open as possible about what you're experiencing with your depression. If you struggle to remember, write a list of your depressive symptoms and bring it to the conversation. If you're hoping to receive support or treatment, consider asking if you can attend therapy or talk to your doctor about antidepressant medication.
Consider sharing a depression resources guide for parents. If your primary caregiver is not familiar with the condition, they may want to do some reading to understand your concerns further or reach out to healthcare providers who can provide more information.
Reach out to your school counselor for mental health support
If you feel unsafe or are unable to discuss your concerns with a parent or caregiver, you might also reach out to a school counselor to talk about your symptoms of depression. They may have a brochure, book, or website for you to check out for further information or other resources to refer you to.
Your school counselor may advocate for you to your caregiver and support you in finding community resources for your symptoms. In some cases, mental health support groups or accommodations may be available to you at school.
If you experience an urge to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts at school, ask your teacher if you can visit your guidance counselor. Let the counselor know what you're experiencing, and they can reach out to the proper services for you.
If you feel unsafe at home, communicate this to your counselor. Depending on the situation, they might ask you questions about your caregivers and any potential maltreatment and may contact government resources on your behalf. Your counselor is available to support you and keep you safe.
What treatments are available for managing depressive symptoms in a child?
If you feel safe doing so, the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that you talk to your parents about treatment for depression. Common therapy modalities used for teens include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), talk therapy, and humanistic therapy.
In some cases, depression in teens is treated using antidepressant medications. A medical doctor or psychiatrist will often prescribe these depending on your symptoms and other treatment possibilities.
It can be normal and okay to take antidepressants in high school. If you require medication to feel happy, content, or productive as a teen, there is nothing wrong with you. Therapy is also a commonly used treatment method for major depression, and in 2019 alone, over 4 million children and teens utilized therapy or counseling services for a mental health condition such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
Teenage life can come with several challenges and transitions. If you are too busy to attend treatment in person, ask your parents about trying online therapy. Research shows that online counseling for teens with depression and anxiety is as effective as traditional in-person counseling.
For those under 18, an online counseling platform like TeenCounseling can be beneficial. For those over 18, BetterHelp offers similar services, with a growing volume of licensed mental health professionals.
Takeaway
What percentage of people have depression and mental health problems?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5% of adults globally live with depression. As of 2024, that number was around 400 million adults. In 2019, 970 million people in the world were living with mental illnesses. Mental illnesses and mental health problems like depression, anxiety disorders, and stress are common, and some groups may be at a higher risk of symptoms than others. For example, high school students, college students, middle school students, young adults, people with a history of trauma, people with a family history of mental illness, male students, and marginalized individuals are at a greater risk of developing depressive disorders.
What are the causes of depression and major depressive symptoms?
Depression has been determined to have various causes, and early identification of risk factors may be helpful in preventing worsening symptoms. The leading causes of depression are determined to be a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. For example, a history of having experienced trauma may increase one’s risk of depression, as can substance and alcohol use. Certain lifestyle factors may also increase the severity of one’s symptoms. For example, not getting enough sleep, practicing self-care, or eating nutritious meals can lead to reduced physical energy, which can, in turn, have a negative impact on psychological well-being.
Is depression genetic or influenced by behavioral factors?
According to recent research, depressive disorders are considered to have a hereditary factor of around 40% to 50%, so you have about half a chance of having depression if your parents or immediate family members do. However, how you are raised, behavior, and other environmental factors can also influence depression. A genetic disposition to a condition doesn’t necessarily mean someone will grow up to have poor mental health or be diagnosed with a disorder in young adulthood. However, if someone has a poor social environment, comorbid anxiety disorder, lack of access to mental health treatment, and a history of trauma, they may be more likely to show warning signs of depression.
Who is more likely to experience depression?
Many groups of people are at a higher risk of depression, including people with marginalized identities, young people, older adults, and people with poor body image or eating disorders. Parents of teens who are concerned about teen mental health can tackle the risk of adolescent depression by being open with their teen about mental health challenges and mental well-being. If you notice your child is starting to have slipping grades and a sudden lack of interest in social support and previously enjoyed activities, take them seriously. In today’s teens, depression is a public health issue, impacting many adolescents each year. Academic pressure, a lack of parental support, and strict parenting may contribute to these risks.
Is depression a disability or just a condition affecting a child and parents?
Depression can be considered a disability if it interferes with someone’s ability to function in one or more major areas of functioning, such as work, school performance, relationships, self-care, and sleep. For many people, depression is disabling. However, this condition can often be treated effectively with mental health services offered by a licensed mental health professional. If parents notice signs of depression in their children, such as suicidal ideation, a lack of motivation, reduced academic performance, and functional difficulties, they may consider seeking adolescent psychiatry or mental health services, such as outdoor therapy, counseling, or group therapy to support teen mental health.
Female students may be at a higher risk of comorbid eating disorders with depression, so look out for these signs in female adolescents if you’re a parent. In addition, encourage students to come to you when struggling. Students’ reported symptoms should be taken seriously. You can get a quick screening by having your child take the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) at their pediatrician to screen them for depression and anxiety regularly.
Is depression a chemical imbalance or just a symptom of being depressed?
Depression can sometimes be due to chemical imbalances in the brain, such as reduced serotonin or dopamine levels. However, not everyone with depression experiences a chemical imbalance, and research on this topic is divided. Regardless, depression is a serious and severe condition that can require hospitalization. Take the warning signs of depression seriously.
Is depression more common in males or females, and how does it relate to suicide rates?
Depression is more common in females. However, this statistic may be due to the reduced rate of men seeking help for mental health challenges due to stigma about men seeking help or having mental health symptoms. In addition, depression symptoms can look different in men, more frequently appearing as irritability and substance use than sadness. Suicide rates are higher in males than in females, and this rate increases if the individual is BIPOC or LGBTQ.
What age group has the highest depression rate in school-aged individuals?
In school-aged individuals, the group with the highest depression rate is adolescent females. Parents can take steps to protect their children by looking out for common signs of depression, like changes in appetite and sleep patterns, social withdrawal, irritability, apathy, and significant changes in behavior. Some behavioral changes in adolescence are normal, but getting your child screened for depression is free and can help you catch symptoms early.
How do I know if I'm depressed?
Depression symptoms are generally similar across all depressive disorders and may include the following:
Reduced motivation
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
A lack of interest in previously-enjoyed activities
Social withdrawal
Thoughts of suicide
Self-harm or thoughts of self-harm
Prolonged sadness, irritability, or apathy
You can also learn whether you might have depression by taking a depression screening with a doctor, counselor, or online resource, like Mental Health America (MHA).
Why do teenagers sleep late, and is there treatment for sleep disorders in mental health care?
Teenagers generally need more sleep than adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states teens aged 13 to 17 need at least eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. Children in middle school need nine to 12 hours. If you are worried about your child’s sleep habits, talk to their doctor about potential screening for sleep disorders or mental health conditions. Sleep disorders can be treated.
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