Depression is a widely occurring mental illness that results in the feeling of loneliness, worthlessness and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. In teens, it is caused by several different factors, and peer pressure, family problems, sexual orientation and even performance at school, are all factors that can fuel the fire. Depression can also bring out physical manifestations such as insomnia, constricted blood vessels, weight fluctuations, in conjunction with negative mental manifestations.
Furthermore, 1 in 4 teenagers in India suffers from depression. When showing symptoms of depression, such as withdrawal and loneliness, many people neglect the situation and do not visit a psychologist for diagnosis and treatment. Certain antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy have proven to be the most effective forms of therapy. Studies show that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Medication alone are 50-75% effective, whereas a combined treatment results in 75-90% of the people overcoming depression.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a form of talking therapy which helps patients identify their irrational thoughts and teaches them how to modify their thinking patterns into a more positive way. It works around, and challenges, disruptive thoughts. It explores the relationship between feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. The recommended course of treatment is usually between 5-20 sessions depending on the severity of the illness.
Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been the most widely prescribed antidepressants. They work by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter in the human body that controls sleep, hunger, pain, learning, mood, and sexual function. Lexapro, which is an SSRI, blocks the reuptake of serotonin into neurons which allows for more serotonin to be available to better transmission of messages.
In conclusion, according to the Practice Parameters of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, combined treatment of an antidepressant, Lexapro, and cognitive behavioural therapy has proved to be the most effective treatment for depression in adolescents from ages 13 to 19.
