Preview

Should Teachers 6-12 Be Allowed To Diagnose Teen Depression?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
595 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Should Teachers 6-12 Be Allowed To Diagnose Teen Depression?
Depression in teens is a very serious mental illness in today's society. No matter where you go, teens are struggling from this illness in their every day lives because of heir anxiety. Whether it be from family issues, friend issues, grades at school, anxiety is a part of every persons life, and if a person's anxiety is not treated correctly, it can lead into depression. For these reasons, all teachers 6-12 should be taught how to diagnose teen depression, and there should be at least one professional who is able to treat teen depression in every school building 6-12. One reason why teen depression is such a major issue is because of it affects on the lives of teens all over America and all over the world. Depression causes teens to feel down about themselves and the things they to in life. Because of this, teens ten turn towards other methods to make themselves feel better. "Teens may experiment with drugs or alcohol or become sexually promiscuous to avoid feelings of depression" ("Depression"). Actions such as drinking alcohol, doing drugs, including tobacco, and becoming sexually promiscuous are ways that people separate themselves from from the bad things that they are facing in life. Students constantly do things like drinking and drugs to help the deal with their problems, "But such behaviors only lead to new problems, deeper levels …show more content…
According to a recent survey, depression in adolescents in increasing rapidly and alarming many people as recent surveys show that one in five teens are suffering from clinical depression ("Depression"). For this reason, all teachers should be trained to diagnose depression in teens before it becomes out of control and leads them to make choices such as drink alcohol, doing drugs and tobacco, and having sex to overcome the issues they are facing. If this occurs, we can prevent students from running their relationships with family, friends, and also from ruining their

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    In the United States, 2.5% of children and 8.3% of adolescents suffer from depression…. More than 7% of depressed adolescents later commit suicide as young adults.…

    • 3361 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    It can lead some teen to slices. The symptom of depression is sad, angry and irritable. After I read the book, Catcher in the rye”, I learned that depression of teen is the same as now. For my own experience, I have been depressed about college and what I should do with my life. I depress with the college financial because I think high education is important for my future. I am deeply thinking about this issue which sometimes lead me to depress. Depression still happens in this day. The depression symptom of the teen is being lonely, losing family and using…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Depressive disorders during youth occur frequently. During childhood there are an estimated one to two percent of children between the ages of six and twelve that have a Major depressive disorder. That rate changes to two to five percent in adolescents or ages thirteen to eighteen. Fourteen to twenty five percent of youth experiences at least one episode of major depression before adulthood. Depression has been diagnosed at a much higher rate than in the past few decades. Episodes of major depression will reoccur within a five year time period. Depression is often combined with anxiety disorders, dysthymia, disruptive disorders and, or substance abuse and is associated with increased risk taking behavior that could lead to sexual transmitted infections or pregnancy. Depression in youth can last for several months and is often circular and returns. Some studies show that many adolescents that have depression grow up to be depressed adults. The lack of care and identification of depression from pre-adolescent depression is also a factor the leads to adult depression. Some researchers suggest that the care given to a child while transitioning into adulthood is not consistent so there is a loss in continuity from child to adult depression. Other data suggest that children with major depression continue to experience high rates of depression into adulthood and through out there lives. Many youth that have depression often have substantial impairment in social functioning, including poor school achievement and problems with both family and peers. Depressed youth also have a higher rate of suicide. Other psychosocial impairment growths with increasing severity of depression; however, even minor depression is associated with much social impairment. Although in many cases depression in youth will be recognized and treated, there are still fewer than half of youths with major…

    • 1161 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Depression is the most common mental disorder, not only for adults, but for children and teenagers as well. The DSM-IV classifies depression as a mood disorder. It states that an individual has suffered a “major depressive episode” if certain symptoms persist for at least two weeks, including a loss of enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities, a sad or irritable mood, a significant change in weight or appetite, problems sleeping or concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness. These symptoms of depression fall into four categories: mood, cognitive, behavioral, and physical. Depression affects how individuals feel, think, behave, and how their bodies work. People with depression may experience symptoms in any or all of the categories, depending on personal characteristics and the severity of the depression. Although depression is usually first noticed during the teen or early adult years, a person can have an episode of depression at any age. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is estimated to be 2% in children and 6% in adolescents and up to 25% of adults age >60 experience MDD, dysthymic disorder, or “minor” depression. Although diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder is similar among all patients, its symptoms and course may be atypical in children, adolescents, and older adults. Awareness of these varying clinical manifestations can facilitate early recognition and treatment. Although diagnosis and treatment of depression is similar regardless of a patient’s age, younger and older patients may not exhibit typical depressive symptoms.…

    • 1458 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Only in the past two decades has depression in adolescents been taken seriously. Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Therefore it comes to no surprise to discover that adolescent depression is strongly linked to teen suicide. Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer (Blackman, 1995). Despite this alarming increased suicide rate, depression in this age group is greatly under diagnosed and can lead to serious difficulties in school, work, and personal adjustment, which may continue into adulthood. How prevalent are mood disorders and when should an adolescent with changes in mood be considered clinically depressed? Brown (1996), has said the reason why depression is often overlooked in adolescents is because it is a time of emotional turmoil, mood swings, gloomy thoughts, and heightened sensitivity. It is time of rebellion and experimentation. Blackman (1996), observed that the "challenge is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimposed on the backdrop of a more transient, but expected developmental storm."…

    • 1251 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Foster Care Experience

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Depression in a teenager can impair their ability to learn and connect with peers when in fact it is an important time period for their academic achievement and social growth. As a teacher, I have the ability to act as an essential part of my students support network. But doing so is easier said than done. It requires a deep understanding of many faces of depression and the strategies involved. I have been through tough times at my age as well so I can take that and turn it around into something great by helping my students realize that they are not alone. As a teacher I need to be able to recognize the signs of depression right away and act in a supporting manner. As Dustin explained it affected his grades first. I promise to myself that as a teacher that could possibly be dealing with this that I will check in regularly with the student to drive home the idea that someone does care about them and they are not alone. I could check in with them personally after school or lunch or over email whatever is convenient for them. My most important job is to develop a relationship with these students. By doing so I will express unconditional support, avoid singling out the students for criticism, being specific in providing feedback, and using positive reinforcement. I will aid their educational aid emotional development by encouraging them to draw or even doing something as simple as lowering…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Depression is a serious mental disorder that could lead to death by suicide if not taken seriously and treated. Depression in adolescents (age group of 12-17) can affect school and work performance, peer and family relationships, and even exacerbate other health issues like asthma. According to childStats.gov statistics, in 2011 about 8% of the population age 12-17 had a major depressive episode. According to the medical Merriam-Webster online dictionary, there are several signs and symptoms of depressions that may vary in frequency, duration, intensity. These are: sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping; feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or suicide attempt. Other risks factors for depression include being female, African-American, living in poverty, having a certain chronic medical condition such as diabetes, obesity, chronic pain. Sometimes, some type of event/ stressor, like moving out, a relationship break-up, having been the victim or witness of violence, having few friends, becoming socially isolated or bullied, having a negative self-esteem, could trigger a depression episode.…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Depression is a very large issue in the world, but more importantly, America. According to Webster’s Dictionary, depression is a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Mainly depression affects adults and adolescents, but does affect people of all ages. Over 20% of all Americans will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. Depression, though it is severe, can be treated in various ways if action is taken within adequate time, like with any other disease. The manifestations of depression in adolescents differ from the…

    • 1856 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In order to improve discrepancies between individuals and ultimately reduce the risk of depression in teenager’s serious education reforms need to take place. Studies have found that psychiatric disorders in young people range between 16-30% with depressive disorder being the most common (Robinson et. Al, 2009). Young people are often unwilling to seek help and feel as though there a discrepancy between their actual-self and ought-self (Robinson et. Al, 2009). 60% of school students currently report suicidal ideation (Robinson et. Al, 2009). Studies in Australia have found that presenting workshop and educational lessons has the ability to increase the likelihood of seeking professional help (Robinson et. Al, 2009). Education lessons have the ability to reduce discrepancies in individual’s self-component through changing public perceptions and suggesting non-medical interventions such as relaxation and exercise (Fullagar & Gattuso, 2002).…

    • 266 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the risk of developing depression during the course of one’s lifetime is roughly seventeen percent. This is a significant number which shows warrants need for greater mental health care. In 2014, nearly 16 million adults in the United States “...had experienced at least one major depressive episode’ in the past year…”, representing nearly seven percent of adults in America (ADAA). This is an especially important statistic because it is reported that “One-half of all lifetime diagnosable mental health conditions begin by the age of 14.” (Morissette, Melissa, et. al). Better intervention and mental health care for children and adolescents can come to benefit millions of American adults in the future as well. According to Pippa Wysong, a member of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association, one-eighth of all teenagers suffer from clinical depression, impacting roughly two and a half million people under 18 in the United States. Because of the debilitating consequences of depression, a staggering amount of teenagers are negatively affected nationwide. Over 2 million teenagers “...report experiencing depression that impairs their daily function.”…

    • 1145 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Costello, E.J., Erkanli, A., & Angold, A., (2006). Is there an epidemic of child or adolescent depression? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(12), 1263-1271.…

    • 2284 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Being Popular

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem among many young people. Most drug and alcohol abuse happens on the weekend at a party or at a friend’s house. Young people want to be popular and fit in, and if fitting in means drinking or using drugs, they are going to do it. After a few parties, and a few nights out at a friend’s house,young people start to get addicted to drugs and alcohol and their life begins to fall…

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Teen Depression

    • 1395 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Teenagers experience an exceptional amount of stress throughout this time in their lives. Between struggling with schoolwork to achieve good grades, trying to fit in with their peers, and attempting to conform to the expectations of society, teenagers undergo an extensive amount of pressure. Dr. Kirk Astroth, a Professor from the University of Arizona wrote an article about people who are at risk of depression. In Astroth’s article, “Are Youth at Risk,” he states that an estimated 25% of all kids from the ages of 10-17 are considered at high risk to develop depression (Astroth). Teenagers in today’s society are more likely to develop depression due to the messages being sent from the advertisements and entertainment which surrounds them. Furthermore, today there are more divorces and broken households, which negatively affects the children who are apart of these families, and plays a toll on their minds. In the same article, Astroth writes, “The pathological treatment of youth is also manifest in the mental health area. Since 1980, teen…

    • 1395 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Adolescence Essay 10

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages

    By analyzing depression, we will find that depression is a disease that afflicts the human psyche in such a way that the afflicted tends to act and react abnormally toward others and himself. Therefore it comes to no surprise to discover that adolescent depression is strongly linked to teen suicide. Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer (Blackman, 1995). Despite this increased suicide rate, depression in this age group is greatly underdiagnosed and leads to serious difficulties in school, work and personal adjustment which may often continue into adulthood. However, how prevalent are mood disorders in children and when should an adolescent with changes in mood be considered clinically depressed? Brown (1996) has said the reason why depression is often over looked in children and adolescents is because "children are not always able to express how they feel." Sometimes the symptoms of mood disorders take on different forms in children than in adults. Adolescence is a time of emotional…

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Teenagers are surrounded daily by different issues and problems. Some know how to deal with them; others create bigger problems for themselves. A problem that a teenager could come across can vary in its extremity. A major problem, that forms from other problems, is drug and alcohol abuse/use. Drug and alcohol abuse has become a huge problem among teenagers. It can start for multiple reasons. Every person has a different reason. The most common reasons or excuses for teenagers are boredom, depression, the pure enjoyment of the feeling they get, the need or desire to be like or join everyone else, peer pressure, media, television, and celebrities. The problem that comes with the usage of drugs and alcohol is that it impairs judgement, and distorts the way one would normally function. Because of this, people do things that they normally would not do, which creates more problems. Multiple problems can occur from the use of drugs or alcohol, the worst being, teen pregnancy, rape, abuse, and or even death (to oneself or others).…

    • 931 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays