One in four teenage girls has symptoms of depression

The depression It is a very delicate matter in all people and in the case of adolescents it can be a great obstacle in this stage of uncertainty and changes. However, it affects more young people than would be desired. Many of them go through symptoms of this disorder that adds to the individuals in a pit of sadness and melancholy from which it is difficult to leave without help.

In the case of adolescents, it affects girls more than boys. In fact, a study carried out jointly by the University of Liverpool and the ULC Institute of Educations of the United Kingdom, states that one in four young people at this age goes through the symptoms of depression. A call for attention to work in the prevention of these cases.


Know the risk factors

To analyze the situation of depression in adolescence, the researchers reviewed a total of 14,000 families. After evaluating the situation of all these cases, it was determined that the girls represented the largest group at risk of suffering from this disorder, a danger that increased at 13 years, age that coincides with the beginning of this stage.

Those responsible for the study say that these data evidence the risk factors that represent adolescence in the case of girls. Researchers say that at these ages, young women are more vulnerable because of the social pressure exerted on them. Number of advertisements and advertising remind the importance of being beautiful and meet certain canons that are sometimes impossible to reach.


Some demands that added to the emotional instability of adolescence, make girls a risk group for depression. This explains that 1 in 4 girls at this age show symptoms of this disorder. However, other risk factors that favor the appearance of this problem are also pointed out, for example the genetic background, in this case it was determined that they affected both girls and boys alike.

On the other hand, it was ruled out that any of the father figures will influence the onset of depression. Although it was found that mothers spent more time with their children, no relationship was found between them and the presence or absence of these symptoms in adolescents.

Need for attention

Another data that is offered in this study is that most parents does not pay all the attention that should to the symptoms of depression in adolescent children. The great majority thinks that they are things of the age and that they will end up remitting with the time. However, the researchers highlight the need to offer an answer to this situation to avoid aggravating it.


From the Mayo Clinic these symptoms are outlined as those that must be taken into account by the parents:

- Feelings of sadness, among them, fits of tears for no apparent reason

- Permanent irritability

- Frustration for unimportant issues

- Lack of interest in normal activities that previously satisfied the adolescent

- Lack of interest in relationships with family or friends or conflicts with those people

- Low self-esteem

- Feelings of guilt or contempt for yourself

- Constant memories of past mistakes or exaggerated feelings of guilt or self-criticism

- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and need for constant displays of love and support from others

- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

If any of these symptoms are appreciated, the first step is to talk to the adolescent and let him know that he has the support for parental. Show you on a day-to-day basis that you can ask for help if you need it. If the symptoms worsen over time, it will be necessary to request assistance from a specialist to thoroughly deal with the source of the problem.

Damián Montero

Video: How many teenage girls have depression ? | Mega Health Channel & Answers


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