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Fact Sheet: Facts About Teenage Depression. (2009, November 27). In //The Balanced Mind Foundation //. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from Google. < [] >


 * 1) "A depressive disorder is a disease that affects mood, thoughts and behavior."
 * 2) 5% of all teenagers will suffer from depression.
 * 3) 20% are diagnosed and treated.
 * 4) "Well meaning parents or teachers may think that a young person is unhappy or moody because it's a natural part of being young. This is especially true for adolescents, who are expected to be "hormonal" and rebellious. Persistent unhappiness or moodiness is not normal for anyone."
 * 5) "Depression is a medical illness caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. In the brain, neurons send messages from one nerve ending to another across synapses. Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, are chemicals that help transfer information. In depression, these neurons do not function normally, which leads to changes in a person’s thoughts, feelings and behavior. Antidepressant medications work to restore proper chemical balance in the brain."
 * 6) Symptoms of depression are: Irritability/depressed mood; loss of interest in usual activities; low energy; sleeping too much or too little; weight loss or gain; thoughts of death; feeling hopeless and worthless.
 * 7) Symptoms of manic episodes: too much energy, significant mood swings, easily distracted, fast talking, and inability to sleep.
 * 8) Girls are more likely to get depression than boys.
 * 9) Young children who develop this disorder usually have a family history of it.
 * 10) Detecting depression early means it can be treated.
 * 11) Antidepressants are widely used and effective.
 * 12) Disadvantage of antidepressants are they can be difficult to tolerate due to side effects.
 * 13) Psychotherapy is also effective.
 * 14) " More than 80 percent of people with depression improve when they receive appropriate treatment with medication, psychotherapy, or the combination."
 * 15) "Once a young person has experienced an episode of depression, he or she is at risk for developing another episode of depression within the next five years"
 * 16) "Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk for suicidal behaviors"