Mildly depressed teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders as adults.
Mildly depressed teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders as adults.
To investigate the association between depression during adolescence and adverse mental health outcomes during adulthood, researchers analysed a community-based sample of 755 Americans during adolescence and adulthood. The participants, who were about 16 years old, were interviewed about mood, anxiety and eating disorders, disruptive behaviour and substance abuse.
About 8 percent were found to have minor depression, defined as feeling down, losing interest in normal activities, and having insomnia or difficulty concentrating for two weeks or more. The symptoms of minor depression are similar to, but less severe, than those of a major depressive episode.
The researchers followed up with the teens when they were in their early twenties and in their early thirties, and found that teenagers who had had minor depression were significantly more likely to have major depression in adulthood. Depressed teens were also more likely to have anxiety and eating disorders as adults.
The above findings emphasise the importance of providing needed assistance and support to youngsters who have two or more persistent symptoms of depression.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
