Depression and anxiety revealed

Neurologists diagnose five types of depression: major depression, persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and bipolar disorder. The symptoms of major depression affect everyday life such as work, eat, and sleep. Older teens and adults tend to have a higher risk of major depression, and many do not seek proper treatment even though major depression can lead to suicide, self-harm, and worsened depression.

Persistent depressive disorder explains a depressive mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depression experiences episodes of major depression as well as periods of minor, less intense depression.

Psychotic depression, a severe form of depression with psychosis, includes delusions and hallucinations. It requires therapy and medication to rebalance the brain chemistry.  

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) induces feelings of depression during the fall and winter months. These feeling fade as spring and summer arrive due to more sunlight and Vitamin D. Psychiatrists treat SAD with minor therapy; many people, however, do not seek treatment.

Bipolar disorder, some mental health advisors claim, involves more than just depression; it entails severe mood swings in short ranges of time. Psychiatrists may treat bipolar disorders through therapy and medication.    

Anxiety refers to a consistent feeling of fear and worry that does not go away and interferes with a person’s work and relationships. Similar to depression, psychologists do not completely understand why people develop anxiety disorders, but have found that biological, genetic, and environmental factors influence the chemical imbalance. People with anxiety experience feelings of restlessness and worry, sleeping issues, loss of control, shortness of breath, and avoid places that trigger their anxiety.

Psychologists define three major types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). GAD refers to extreme worrying about problems that provide no logical reason for worry. GAD often develops in adolescent years and gradually worsens from there, especially with the addition of stress.

Panic disorders begin during late adolescence and appear twice as often in women than men. Panic attacks can occur during anytime, even during sleep. Researchers believe a person can develop a panic disorder through genetics, a chemical imbalance, or environmental factors.

Social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, refers to the fear of social events or interaction. It may occur during a certain event, such as eating or drinking around others, or could be broadly related to a number of social events. Similar to GAD, psychologists believe social phobia to be linked to genetics and brain chemistry; according to researchers, stress and the environment play an important role.  

Multiple factors contribute to teen depression and anxiety. Between peers, academic pressures, family issues, and hormones, high schoolers’ suffer through a rollercoaster of emotions.

“If you have personal issues at home or anxiety and depression runs in your family, that can start it and difficult times in school enhances it,” Ellis said.