Depression in Adolescents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Definition of adolescence and adolescent depression 2

2. Adolescent depressive symptoms 4

3. Problems with diagnosis of depression in adolescents 4

4. Gender factors that may play a role in assessing depression 6

5. Contextual factors that may play a role in assessing depression 8

6. Suicide 9

‘Like anyone else, I have always had times when I felt deeply depressed, but this was something altogether new in my experience – a despairing, unchanging paralysis of the spirit beyond anything I had ever known or imagined could exist.’

The author William Styron (1990).

(Kring, Johnson, Davison & Neale 2012:132)

1. Definition of adolescence and adolescent depression

Adolescence is the period of development marked at the beginning by the onset of puberty and at the end by the attainment of physiological or psychological maturity (Reber, Allen & Reber 2009). It is a period of transition from childhood into adulthood, involving changes in physical development, cognitive abilities, emotional adjustment and self esteem.

Adolescence is a time of acute stress. It is a period of social sorting and identity formation. Erikson described development that occurs throughout the lifespan in his theory of psychosocial development. During the adolescent period, which Erikson called ‘Identity vs Role confusion’, adolescents need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. During adolescence, children are exploring their independence and developing a sense of self. As they make the transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure about themselves and how they fit in to society. As they seek to establish a sense of self, teens may experiment with different roles, activities and behaviors. Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self....