St. Louis Post-Dispatch

May 19, 1996

FREQUENT AND INTENSE DEPRESSION IS DANGEROUS

Author: By Kristina Sauerwein
Of The Post-Dispatch Staff

Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
Section: NEWS
Page: 6A

Index Terms:
WARNING
DANGER SIGN
SUICIDE
TEENAGER
YOUTH
CHILDREN CHILD SYMPTOM
PREVENTION
HELP
TELEPHONE HOTLINE
PROFILE
AURORA CATHERINE SASS
A DAUGHTER'S DECISION
TEENAGER SUICIDE
DEPRESSION
SIDEBAR STORY

Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:

All teen-agers get depressed. No need to worry, mental health specialists say.

Unless, says Gerald Oster, the depression is frequent and intense. Oster is an associate psychiatry professor at the University of Maryland Medical School and co-author of "Helping Your Depressed Teenager."

Frequent and intense depression occurs in about 7 percent of the nation's teens, or slightly more than 2 million.

Frequent means teens are despondent at least two times a week for more than a couple of hours, Oster says. This usually continues for months.

Intense means teens can only focus on their dejection, Oster says. For example, most teens feel down when rejected by a crush. It hurts. It might last for a few hours. But then something happens - a friend calls, a favorite TV show comes on - and these teens feel better.

Nothing pulls up seriously down teens, Oster explains. In their minds, one rejection means everybody dislikes them because they're bad, ugly or unworthy. These feelings dominate their every thought and debilitate their actions.

Nothing else matters.

"Little things in life become catastrophic," Oster says.

Most experts believe a combination of chemical imbalances and traumatic experiences cause serious depression. Few experts can say if teens are more depressed today than 10, 20 or 100 years ago.

Without meaning to, loved ones often compound teens' depression, Oster says. They try and boost moods. It doesn't work. They get frustrated because they can't understand. And so they think depressed teens are vain, selfish, shy or lazy.

"Anything but what they really are," Oster says, "which is in need of help."

Help can mean therapy, medication or a combination.

Help is necessary, says Myrna Weissman, an epidemiologist at the New Yor k State Psychiatric Institute. Her research shows that suicide occurred in 4.4 percent of adults who had been depressed as children.

Depression peaks between the ages of 15 and 25, Weissman says. The reason isn't clear, but she suspects it has a lot to do with the transitions in life teens deal with constantly.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds, says a federal study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

"Young people lack the insight to see that things can get better," says social worker Sue Self, director of a local hot line for teens in crisis. "They also worry about things that might seem petty to adults. That's because they aren't mature enough to realize what really matters in life."

Caption:
Graphic Chart - TEEN DEPRESSION

SYMPTOMS

Sad, empty or anxious.
Excessive feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and pessimism.
Loss of interest in everyday activities.
Eating and sleep problems.
Tiredness.
Thoughts of death and suicide.
Increased restlessness and irritability.
Trouble with concentration and remembering things.

WARNING SIGNS

Marked changes in personality.
Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
Unexplained, significant drop in school or work responsibilities.
Verbal threats of suicide.
Loss of interest in usual activities.
Social withdrawal.
Lack of concern about appearance.
Lapses of attention or concentration.
Dangerous or illegal activities (running away, drug or alcohol use)
Recent rejection (from friends, clubs).
Giving or throwing away prized possessions.
Explosive outbursts.
Reading stories or drawing pictures about death.
Possession of dangerous weapons.
Unexplained cheerfulness after prolonged depression.

HOW TO HELP

Show your concern immediately.
Always take suicidal talk seriously.
Remove all harmful items from the home. This includes, among other things, guns, knives, razors, pills or alcohol.
Never leave a suicidal teen alone.
Be open and direct. Ask whether plans have been made. Suicidal teens are serious about carrying out their ideas.
Act calm. Acting alarmed or shocked can destroy a teen's confidence.
Listen without judgment.
Seek professional help.

Source: "Helping Your Depressed Teenager," by Gerald Oster and Sarah Montgomery.
Published by John Wiley & Sons in 1995.

IF YOU NEED HELP
For help or referral, call Life Crisis Services, a 24-hour hot line, at 647-4357.

GRAPHIC

Memo:
A DAUGHTER'S DECISION

Copyright 1996 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Record Number: 9605190343