Moody behaviour and beyond

Just how is this whole self-promotion push by society affecting our teens? An interesting article by Richard A. Friedman in the New York Times makes for a good read. I think it gets to the point where our children are undergoing pressures that are stretching their resilience levels to breaking point and that is presenting problems now and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. So the resilience skills that we should be integrating into their lives takes on an added importance. And of course, all is done to make them 'winners'.

We all know from experience how the moods of teens seems to be variable to say the least. The physical and emotional changes they are going through these years makes us believe that mood changes are simply part of life. This is worrying in many ways as the pressure may be greater than we percieve. We simply put off these behaviours to being part of the normal and not signs of a possible disorders, including depression.

The ability to recognise these behaviours is a bit more of a problem. Many of them are often confused with typical adolescent behaviors by parents and teachers. It's not a question of looking but of the turmoil that most teens go through. Far too often we seem to provide simple one liners to try to sort through the problem as they "grow out of the stage they are going through". We really don't understand depression all that well and think that by being positive we can have them come out the other end. I think that more by good luck than good management most of the mood swings are just that. Perhaps a look at the section of the Mayo Clinic website on Teen Depression would enlighten us a little more on what to look for. If we recognize the signs, there is a chance that we can help. 

A major problem here for both parent and child is the stigma attached to depression by society. It is seen as a symptom or sign of failure. Something to be shunned and hidden from public view, and I think that this a major reason for not recording and/or treating it. It is more the embarrassment of the parents that is slowing everything than our understanding of treatments. This only serves to have the child hide and ignore the symptoms rather than seek treatment. Our actions impact on our children in all sorts of ways, but our attitudes also leave a long lasting impression.

Seeing the long term effects of depression leaves a lasting impression. Once happy and enthusiastic become withdrawn and sullen. I wonder if early intervention strategies would have made a difference because the damage can already be done. The depression does not go away and affects the person all throughout their life. However it seems that some of our teens do not really see a future and the repercussions of that are devastating to all close to them.

It has been part of my later experience to find students in the recent cohorts who have been diagnosed. This seems to be a later day problem. But it is more likely that it is making an appearance more due to changes in diagnosis and acceptance. I do wish that view expressed by society would change to be even more inclusive.

I really wonder if

• I would recognize the signs of depression?
• I provide the support needed to depressed students?
• the presures on students are the cause or maybe the "straw that breaks the camel's back'?