Different from adult depression, causes and characteristics of adolescent depression

What is the Werther effect?

The Werther effect refers to the phenomenon in which adolescents who are usually depressed or stressed are exposed to provocative suicide events and imitate them. In fact, there are studies that show that when a suicide case is reported, the suicide rate of the same gender and age group increases. If a close family member or friend suffers from depression or has experienced the event firsthand, it may seem that they should actively care and lend a helping hand.

Causes of depression in adolescents

The causes of adolescent self-harm and suicide are multifactorial and complex beyond a single explanation. However, it is known that most adolescents who choose suicide are depressed. So, what are the main causes of depression in adolescents?

According to the 2018 Mental Health Epidemiological Survey of Adolescents, middle school students are the most stressed in their relationships. This relationship refers to the relationship with the parents and the relationship with the peers. When I counsel adolescents in a psychiatric clinic, I see friends who are extremely depressed because they don't have friends of their age to eat with. For junior high school students, relationships with peers have an important place.

On the other hand, high school students are said to be the most stressed in their studies. If they can't cope with the academic stress that comes with a competitive admissions environment, or if they don't have anyone to help them, they may engage in very impulsive self-injurious behaviors as a form of escape.

Characteristics of depression in adolescents

Adolescent depression has a different pattern than typical adult depression.

First of all, adolescent depression is characterized by strong manifestations of emotions such as anger and irritability, rather than sad and depressed emotions. If your child suddenly misses school or exhibits rebellious deviant behaviors such as drinking or smoking, you need to check whether they have bad thoughts or feelings instead of scolding them blindly.

In addition, one of the important characteristics is not only emotions, but also the appearance of pain in various parts of the body. Even when you complain of physical pain such as indigestion or headaches, I recommend that you communicate with your child to see if they are having a hard time.

Adolescent Mental Health Care Act

The role of caregivers in the home is very important for the mental health of adolescents. If you have a depressed teen in your family, there are two things to keep in mind:

First, prioritize communication and empathy. It's an important place to start for adults to embrace why your child is having such a hard time. For example, even if the reason seems trivial to adults, such as "I'm annoyed because I don't have friends my age to eat with" or "I'm having a hard time studying," instead of saying, "It was harder for me when I was younger," or "That's nothing," you should show an attitude of acknowledging that it can be painful for your friend.

Second, help youth express their feelings in a healthy way. In addition to respecting the youth's time alone, we should also support them by saying that we are always there to help them when they open up about their intimate stories.