What is Depression?
As defined by the Canadian Mental Health Association,
Depression is "grappling with feelings of severe despair over an extended period of time. Almost every aspect of their life can be affected, including their emotions, physical health, relationships and work. For people with depression, it does not feel like there is a “light at the end of the tunnel” — there is just a long, dark tunnel."
Depression can be in response to a traumatic event or disappointments in life. Depression linked with a life event will most likely last for a short period of time. Chronic depression is a persistent negative feeling that can last more than year or two. It is not necessarily linked to a particular event in life.
Depression is "grappling with feelings of severe despair over an extended period of time. Almost every aspect of their life can be affected, including their emotions, physical health, relationships and work. For people with depression, it does not feel like there is a “light at the end of the tunnel” — there is just a long, dark tunnel."
Depression can be in response to a traumatic event or disappointments in life. Depression linked with a life event will most likely last for a short period of time. Chronic depression is a persistent negative feeling that can last more than year or two. It is not necessarily linked to a particular event in life.
Who Gets Depressed?
It is rather difficult to identify depression in young children. Children do not identify with being depressed so so are unlikely to speak openly about it. The first signs of a depressed child will most likely be in their behaviour, and is most commonly caused by family, school, and social pressures becoming too great. Depression is not very common in children under 15, but it is treatable.
As a child enters adolescence the picture of depression changes. Between the ages of 15 and 19 many people encounter their first experiences with major depression. Recent surveys reveal that as many as 20% of high school students are deeply unhappy or have some kind of psychiatric problem. Suicide is considered a particular danger for this age group.
Depressed teenagers nearly always experience changes in thinking, such as low self-esteem and self-criticism. In this age group, depression is often disguised as substance abuse. It may be acted out in risk-taking or problems with authority.
Depressed teenagers may become anti-social, restless, negative, over sensitive, uncooperative, or aggressive. They may abuse drugs or alcohol and stop going to school. Because most of these symptoms are to some degree considered typical of adolescent behaviour in our culture, teenage depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
As a child enters adolescence the picture of depression changes. Between the ages of 15 and 19 many people encounter their first experiences with major depression. Recent surveys reveal that as many as 20% of high school students are deeply unhappy or have some kind of psychiatric problem. Suicide is considered a particular danger for this age group.
Depressed teenagers nearly always experience changes in thinking, such as low self-esteem and self-criticism. In this age group, depression is often disguised as substance abuse. It may be acted out in risk-taking or problems with authority.
Depressed teenagers may become anti-social, restless, negative, over sensitive, uncooperative, or aggressive. They may abuse drugs or alcohol and stop going to school. Because most of these symptoms are to some degree considered typical of adolescent behaviour in our culture, teenage depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
Young people can experience many new changes during their teen years, making it difficult to recognize the difference between serious depression and their reaction to the normal "bumps in the road" associated with this part of life. Some signs that suggest that a teen may be depressed are:
- Using alcohol and drugs
- Falling grades, poor attendance, or behavioural problems at school
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Having chronic and serious conflicts with parents after long-standing good relations
- Anti-social behaviour or problems with the law
- Irregular sleeping and/or eating habits
- Physiological aches, pains and illnesses that can not be traced to a physical cause
Is Depression the Same as Sadness?
When you're in a sad mood, it may feel like it will last forever, but usually feelings of sadness only last as long as a few moments, hours or maybe a day or two. But sometimes sad feelings can go on for too long, hurt too deeply, and make it hard for you to enjoy the good things about your life. Depression brings down a person's mood and energy. It can affect how people think about themselves and their situation. If you think you have depression or you just have sadness that simply will not go away, it is important to talk to an adult about it (a parent, relative, doctor, teacher, counselor, coach, or close adult friend) so this person can help you. Some symptoms of depression include:
- Negative mood: Depression causes a sad, hopeless, or grumpy mood that lasts for weeks or longer. When people are depressed, they can also seem easily annoyed or angry.
- Negative thinking: People who are depressed might mistakenly think they are worthless, unlovable, or bad. They might think things will never get better.
- Negative attitude: People who are depressed might feel like nothing is worth trying and that nothing works out well for them. This can make them feel like giving up.
- Low energy: People who feel depressed often feel too tired to do things they normally do, like play, go to school, or go to work.
- Not enjoying things: Depression can ruin enjoyment of the things someone normally likes, such as being with friends, enjoying family, or having fun.
- Trouble concentrating: Depression can make it hard to concentrate on schoolwork, reading, or what people say.
- Sleeping or eating problems: Depression can cause someone to sleep or eat too much or not enough.
- Feeling overwhelmed by problems: Depression can make it seem like every problem is too big to deal with.
Inclusive Alberta Education Code:
Students with depression are considered to have an Emotional/Behavioural Disability
Typically, behaviour disabilities are characterized by a number of observable maladaptive behaviours:
- Early Childhood Services: Code 30
- Grades 1–12: Code 53
Typically, behaviour disabilities are characterized by a number of observable maladaptive behaviours:
- an inability to establish or maintain satisfactory relationships with peers or adults
- a general mood of unhappiness or depression
- inappropriate behaviour or feelings under ordinary conditions
- continued difficulty in coping with the learning situation in spite of remedial intervention
- physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
- difficulties in accepting the realities of personal responsibility and accountability
- physical violence toward other persons and/or physical destructiveness toward the environment.