Teen Depression

[fezfez]

A government medical panel is suggesting that all teens get screened regularly for depression because 2 million teenagers are diagnosed as depressed every year. When you were in high school were you a depressed teen or generally happy?

[MacVittie]

Happy Birthday Fez!

[realmenhatelife]

I saw this on the news and think it is such a terrible idea. Teens are hormonal and have lots of idle time- ofcourse they are going to be depressed. When you validate it like this you're going to give them a complex over it, and make it really hard for them to let it go.

Its hard for me to believe this is about anything other than selling alot more medication.

[TjM]

I think I was generally happy but I never really fit in with any of the hip cats. That and I had sooooooo much low self esteem that I would not dare approach a woman I kinda felt like quasi-moto

[Foster]

I remember being mostly happy is HS, but I'm sure there were more times I was depressed than happy.
you're very sensitive at that age, depression is to be expected.

[Jujubees2]

I was mostly happy in high school, with the occasional nervousness that comes with trying to ask a girl out on a date.

As for testing all teens, I would hope that the experts would be able to differentiate between a teen that is just unhappy at the moment to one that may be clinically depressed.

[A.J.]

I was generally happy I guess.

[CountryBob]

This made me think - and i couldnt come up with 1 occurance that would make me feel like I was a depressed teen. I would not become depressed until recently - 38, fat and single. Well, at least I have all of my hair!

[patrick187]

Very happy as a teen. I was fucking teen girls. Now I just drive by highschools and cry.

[EliSnow]

A government medical panel is suggesting that all teens get screened regularly for depression because 2 million teenagers are diagnosed as depressed every year. When you were in high school were you a depressed teen or generally happy?

Not only was I happy, I was "happy-go-lucky."

Yes, there were times when I was really sad and/or depressed, but not clinically depressed. My mother once told me that she noticed I was very sad for a period of time, and was worried I would kill myself. My mom is a little dramatic, but I knew about 2-3 kids in my high school (which was small) who committed suicide, plus another five others who tried on a couple of occasions. So it was something that happened.

[Dude!]

when you are a teen
your highs are higher
and your lows are lower

dealing with the lows is how you grow up!

i think this is just another
government meddling
and like rmhl said above
the first step to drugging them all

ritalin was just the first step
to turn us into a nation of automatons

yes master, we will do what you say

[drjoek]

It was hard to tell since I was in a purple haze through most of high school

[AKA]

It depended when you caught me during the "teen" years...

7th - 9th grades (12/15 years old) - hideous time in my life, maybe the worst - SUPER INSANELY DEPRESSED for a stretch there - looking back, it might not have been as bad as I liked to remember, and in fact might have really only been focusing on only a small fraction of that time there.

10th - 11th grade (15/17 years old) - kind of rocked; I changed schools and was able to shed whatever collective baggage I thought I had.

12th grades (17/18 years old) - kind of a mix of up and down - VERY manic year for me, as I changed schools again - once again, the change was when things got better (MUCH better).

I hit one more depression skid a few years later when I was 21 that took a long while to get out - and then again about twenty years later (just last year) I went into a personal tailspin - things couldn't be better now, however, and (for me) in all of those instances, I had REALLY, REALLY good reasons to be depressed. It was not a chemical thing (although I can still have brief highs and lows that I can't explain away that easily).

But the times when I point at my life as when I was at my lowest, they were all the results of something in my life, such as a traumatic death that is impossible to shake.

[WampusCrandle]

i had crazy shit going on during my high school years. a family member was going thru a public murder trial, first real girl friend, a friend's suicide, lived in China, bad car accidents, etc. basically, the 4 years merge into one long memory, and with hindsight, i may have been depressed, but i just pushed on (and more weird shit popped up to deal with, so there was no stopping to think of whatever awful came my way).

with hindsight, i shouldn't be a functional person.

[Furtherman]

A government medical panel is suggesting that all teens get screened regularly for depression because 2 million teenagers are diagnosed as depressed every year. When you were in high school were you a depressed teen or generally happy?

I had good times and I had bad times. I don't think I was generally happy, but that was only because I was limited in to what I could do. Once I was off to college, things got better. Then I was very happy.

But screening for depression just seems like an easier was to get kids on drugs, therefore fulfilling some politician's promise to his medical company supporters.

[vickyj_2]

High School started out good but by the end was suicidal and people around me could tell a difference I think if friends and family pay attention it will be better than screenings.

[~Katja~]

I think it is hard to compare our teens and childhood to the feelings and emotions of today's teens.

I was between happy and sad, nothing that would ever have been considered depressed (by European standards). But we also grew up roaming around, being out and about with friends just walking across town without parents having to worry too much about what parents worry about today.
Kids live a different life now and often spend a lot of time indoors watching tv, browsing the net, playing games... they are dealing with so much more than we used to.
And they are extremely self conscious of their looks and outfits, feeling pressured to dress or style a certain way... it seems like all these teen "issues" have been magnified.

I would not mind a recommended psych evaluation every year or two... through I would hate to see them imposing medications on the kids. But almost like an annual medical check up, a mental check could help preventing suicides and full blown depression later in life.

[grlNIN]

I was diagnosed manic depressive at 16, up until that point in the High School years i wavered between being OK (i.e. passable as happy to others) and not being completely depressed. I remember a week or two where i couldn't even get out of bed it was that bad.

I would say a lot of that was circumstantial to my environment but it has never completely gone "away".

[Foster]

I think it is hard to compare our teens and childhood to the feelings and emotions of today's teens.

I was between happy and sad, nothing that would ever have been considered depressed (by European standards). But we also grew up roaming around, being out and about with friends just walking across town without parents having to worry too much about what parents worry about today.
Kids live a different life now and often spend a lot of time indoors watching tv, browsing the net, playing games... they are dealing with so much more than we used to.
And they are extremely self conscious of their looks and outfits, feeling pressured to dress or style a certain way... it seems like all these teen "issues" have been magnified.
I would not mind a recommended psych evaluation every year or two... through I would hate to see them imposing medications on the kids. But almost like an annual medical check up, a mental check could help preventing suicides and full blown depression later in life.


even though I don't have any kids, this really doesn't sound any diiferent than when I was that age

[Jujubees2]

I would not mind a recommended psych evaluation every year or two... through I would hate to see them imposing medications on the kids. But almost like an annual medical check up, a mental check could help preventing suicides and full blown depression later in life.

That's what I was getting at. If they screened for cancer, everyone would say that was great. Well why not for mental illness? If they can prevent just one Columbine from happening it would be worth it.

And I understand the fear of getting all these kids drugged up (my brother-in-law walked out of his first counseling session with a scrip for Prozac). But remember, they are kids and they can't be forced to take anything their parents don't approve of.

[Kublakhan61]

I think it is hard to compare our teens and childhood to the feelings and emotions of today's teens.



I disagree. I believe what holds humanity back is that we tend to believe in the idea that things were emotionally or intellectually different in the past or that they will be in the future.
We may be more liberal now then 100 years ago, but intellectually we were just as capable of the ideas we have now.
Relatively speaking - nothing about the human condition is changing.
Teens are possibly dealing with less now - sure they are 'connected' but are they dating more/less on average, committing suicide more/less on average, working more/less on average?

Frankly, I did no research for this post - I just happen to believe these things.

Oh, and this reeks of the pharmaceutical industry's desire to make money.

[ToiletCrusher]

Easily the happiest thread I have ever seen.

That said, I have had a couple bouts of depression. However, I did not have them during high school. The first couple years of being an undergraduate were really difficult times.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that if there is regular screening, there will be more of a possibility of the over-diagnosing of depression in adolescents and subsequently there will be more of dependence on medication as treatment.

There is a lot of research that suggests that depression in adolescents isn't as easily detectable as we would like to think it is. There are other factors that need to be considered that contribute.

[~Katja~]

even though I don't have any kids, this really doesn't sound any diiferent than when I was that age

but the US has a much longer history of depression and especially treatment with pills amongst teens... Life still has not changed that drastic in Germany for example... my niece is 8 now and still plays outside every minute she gets... hanging out with her neighbor friend roaming the neighborhood.
Here the kids kind of always have to be under parental control or just stay inside a lot where they are "safe"...
It's kind of a boring environment...
It's proven that not enough sun light can cause depression as well. Going from school to closed in bedroom/ playroom... problems start right there.
The ones without major issues usually have a well balanced life with lot's of activities outside of the home .

[grlNIN]

[SIZE="2" But remember, they are kids and they can't be forced to take anything their parents don't approve of.[/SIZE]

What if their parents are convinced they need to be on medication and they don't want to be? I don't think anyone should be forced on to meds, by parents or not.

Also, being prescribed a medication doesn't mean that it's going to necessarily work for their body. Sometimes you have to go through a litany of different types, doses and combinations.

[~Katja~]

Easily the happiest thread I have ever seen.

That said, I have had a couple bouts of depression. However, I did not have them during high school. The first couple years of being an undergraduate were really difficult times.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that if there is regular screening, there will be more of a possibility of the over-diagnosing of depression in adolescents and subsequently there will be more of dependence on medication as treatment.

There is a lot of research that suggests that depression in adolescents isn't as easily detectable as we would like to think it is. There are other factors that need to be considered that contribute.

that is my only worry about the suggestion for these mandated screenings

[~Katja~]

What if their parents are convinced they need to be on medication and they don't want to be? I don't think anyone should be forced on to meds, by parents or not.

Also, being prescribed a medication doesn't mean that it's going to necessarily work for their body. Sometimes you have to go through a litany of different types, doses and combinations.

I agree with that... it seems we medicate way too quick here, not just for depression.
Personally I am not against medications in general but I always question the absolute need before I let a doc prescribe it to my son or myself.

[Aggie]

Young boy, you done me bad, I went and did ya wrong
Young boy, you done me bad, I went and did ya wrong
Then I got high, Lord I got high, and I got a bone to pick with you
And I’m sure you know it’s true

Oh one day when you’re looking back
You were young and man you were sad
When you’re young you get sad
When your young you get sad, then you get high
Oh man

Young gal you done me bad and I went and did ya wrong
Young gal you done me bad so I went and did ya wrong
Then I got high
Lord, I got high
Now you got a bone to pick with me, but I wish you’d let me be

Oh one day when you’re looking back
You were young and man you were sad
When you’re young you get sad
When your young you get sad, then you get high
You get high

Oh the days the rain would fall your way
Oh the days the rain would fall your way
Then you be high, cause you got sad
Cause you got sad
Oh man

[Dell]

I was a typical moody teen. No reason to be... just was. Never knew how frustrating it must have been to my parents until my kids went through the same phase... sorry mom and dad.

[realmenhatelife]

All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me!

[TjM]

All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me!
I'M NOT CRAZY!

[Heather 8]

I was diagnosed with depression at 15, although I may have had it as early as 11. I still have issues with depression to this day.

Personally I wish I was diagnosed earlier.

[JAH1013]

A government medical panel is suggesting that all teens get screened regularly for depression because 2 million teenagers are diagnosed as depressed every year. When you were in high school were you a depressed teen or generally happy?

I look back at high school as a fun, happy time but I also remember a couple of bouts that I would consider depression. I didn't go to a doctor and and get a script. I dealt with things and got over it. Kids today expect that everything should be great. They feel entitled to a good life. There is no sacrifice and no responsibility.

Go get a six pack, a bag of weed, and bang the unpopular chick with the nice rack. You'll get over the depression and one day you'll look back and think of those tits and remember how good you had it.

[Chimee]

I was depressed in high school, would have been proper diagnosed if I actually went to see someone about it, but I survived, I'm still depressed here and there, but I'm happier with being depressed than being on a bunch of medication to try to fix a problem that someone says I have.

[Gvac]

I was happy as a clam. All I did was drink, fuck, and play sports.

Life wasn't really too difficult.

[Badinia]

All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me!

What are you trying to say? I'M crazy?!?

[SeventySix]

Wow, this is like a mini on-air discussion! Thanks Fez!

I think a great book for any depressed teenager or adult is "The Good 'ol Days: They Were Terrible". It describes, in great detail, the conditions people had to deal with around the turn of the century. There's a lot about rural life, but also living in large cities (horse shit dust storms anyone?) The author wanted to show people that what we deal with today isn't so friggin bad. It made me feel a bit better when Tivo forgot to record the new episode of "The Office". :)

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Old-Days-They-Were-Terrible/dp/0394709411/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238536978&sr=8-1


76!

[santino]

teenagers are all fuct up because of their hormones and their inability to deal with emotional stress due to a lack of life experiences. this is exactly why we have marijuana and 40oz.

[FezsAssistant]

Honestly, when I was in 7th grade my 'health class' teacher started talking to us about depression and suicide. Before that, I never heard of such concepts.
Since that class, I've never stopped thinking about. I've been depressed and suicidal ever since. I'm now 31 and haven't attempted anything, but it's constantly in my mind.
To me, it seemed like one big advertisement for suicide as an option in life.
I'm probably not the norm, though.
Also, this teacher was kind of obsessed with the topic. She just would not drop it.

[Death Metal Moe]

High School wasn't too great to me. But I'm glad I got left alone instead of medicated and talked to every few days.

[SeventySix]

teenagers are all fuct up because of their hormones and their inability to deal with emotional stress due to a lack of life experiences. this is exactly why we have marijuana and 40oz.

Some of us have the deal with Pot and only 32oz. /wrists

[STC-Dub]

I have never been all that happy so I will have to go with the depression side of things.

[nukinfuts]

All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me!

Oh shit...you made me laugh...a lot. That's something I haven't heard/thought about since I was in high school. So I must not have been too depressed back then.

[tdawg420]

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life. I get things arent the same today as they were before, but why can't young people just be young people? I think part of the reason is nowdays the teens that are depressed, don't have a life. if its not homework, its a job at a stupidly young age, if its not that its parents not letting there kids have a life. Parents act like teens are so fragile and will get in trouble and this and that now days. let them live there life a bit when they are young instead of forcing them to follow some sort of system like they are fucking mindless robots or zombies. everything we are doing now days is so backwards and fucked up that it pisses me off and my fucking blood is boiling right now just thinking of it all. Fuckin stupid shit.