Even today the society shies away from considering mental illness as important as any other illness, while most of the contemporary young generation is suffering from stress and depression, which leads to many mental disorders and even suicide.
An Our World In Data study estimates that approximately 3.4% of the global population suffers from depression. This is about 264 million people worldwide. Depression affects about 1 in 15 adults in any given year, and 1 in 6 people will experience depression at some time in their life.
Depression rates in young people have risen sharply in the past decade, while it can affect teens of any sex and gender identity, a study published by the JAMA Network found that by 15 years old, females were twice as likely to have experienced episodic depression than males.
At the same time, the World Health Organization report states - depression affects more than 300 million people globally, and it is predicted to be the leading cause of disability (major depressive disorder) by 2030.
Depression in Indian youth,
India is home to an estimated 57 million people (18% of the global estimate) affected by depression. According to a report, in the year 2022 the prevalence rate of depression in India was 4.50% and the cases were 56,675,969.
Statistics show that depression rates are increasing among young people in India with prevalence rates ranging from 31% to 57%.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuroscience (Nimhans)- 8.3 percent of young adults (aged 18 to 22 or 18 to 25) in India suffer from mental disorders like depression, anxiety, etc.
UNICEF also reported that one out of seven young people between the ages of 15 to 24, and one in four children in the age group of 13-15 years in India suffer from depression, which affects 86 million people in the South-East Asia region.
Whereas, A 2021 Home Ministry report states that youth aged 11 to 17 are the age group most likely to score in the moderate to severe depression categories when screened for mental health conditions. 20% percent of teenagers experience depression before they reach adulthood, but only 30% of the depressed teens are being treated.
States such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have the highest prevalence of depressive disorders.
Causes of depression,
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can severely impact your quality of life. There are numerous factors that contribute to depression. These include biological, genetic, familial, environmental, unemployment and situational factors. Eating too much or too little, drugs and alcohol, lack of sleep or too much sleeping can also lead to mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Social factors, such as academic pressure, unemployment, parental expectations, social media, changing societal norms, stress or trauma, social isolation, family conflicts and economic hardship. In addition, the stigma associated with mental health in India can prevent individuals from seeking help or treatment, exacerbating the problem.
Temperament also plays a role in one’s susceptibility to depression. Specifically, individuals who have a generally negative temperament are at greater risk for depression.
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| Depression can affect your body in many ways. (Image: Healthline): |
Adverse outcomes associated with depression in young people include recurrence of depression; the onset of other psychiatric disorders and widespread, prolonged impairments in interpersonal, social, educational, and occupational functioning.
Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide, it is often undiagnosed or untreated.
According to suicide.org (US), almost 20 percent of all teens experience anxiety and depression before they hit puberty age, according to the statics in every 100 minutes a teen or young person suicide, only 30 percent of teens who have depression or anxiety are being treated, and the third leading cause of death is 'Suicide for Teens' between the age of 15 to 24.
Depression not only affects your mental health but also affects your physical health. It can affect everything from the health of your heart, kidneys, nervous system, and immune system.
Depression can aggravate medical comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease. Depressed individuals are at high risk of developing self-destructive behavior as a coping mechanism.
It is also associated with poor focus, attention, memory, and life choices. This is because a depressed person is incapable of making a sound decision. As a result, he/she makes a lot of mistakes.
Similarly, the feelings of sadness, grief and guilt associated with depression can cause a sufferer to have trouble sleeping, leading to fatigue, irritability and a loss of interest in things that usually bring them pleasure, including sex. It can also impact on their memory, concentration and decision-making capabilities.
Is teen depression treatable?,
Depression is a condition that’s much more serious than a momentary teenage mood swings. This is highly heterogeneous; therefore, a stepwise treatment approach is recommended, starting with brief psychosocial interventions, then a specific psychological therapy, and then an antidepressant medication.
A combination of talk therapy (psychotherapy), individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, medication (as needed), lifestyle modifications, and complementary supports like mindfulness, expressive therapies, experiential activities, and community support can be very effective for teens with depression. Untreated depression can also increase your chance of premature death.
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