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Teen Depression Increases Risk for Violence

Posted on 08/20/2017 10:28:00 AM
Teen Depression Increases Risk for Violence

Depression is the Highest Contributor to Mental Health Diseases in Adolescents

Research by Three Longitudinal Cohorts titled “Depression and Violence in Adolescents and Young Adults" finds out that depression is the highest contributor to mental health diseases among the U.S. adolescents. The researchers evaluated the relationship between violence and depression. The study team collected representative samples in the United Kingdom, Finland, and the Netherlands. The study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) also cites the causes of teenage mental illness.

How Depression can Intensify Violent Behavior

Three Longitudinal Cohorts researchers observed that the Finnish representative sample had 7.1 percent depressed participants with violent crimes records. Only 3.6 of the people without depression disorders had criminal records. Further analysis of the U.K and Dutch samples showed a constant link between violence and depression.

The people with depression are twice as likely to engage in violent behavior. Dr. Rongqin Yu, the lead researcher in the study, reported that the Three Longitudinal Cohorts analyzed the findings to establish how adolescent depression affects behavior.

Both violence and depression are significant psychological challenges among the adolescents and young American adults. The research findings emphasize the need to develop systems to detect and treat depression early enough.

Treating Adolescents Mental Illness and Ending Violent Behavior

  • Depression as a form of mental illness affects about 350 million people globally. Healthcare professionals can use psychotherapy, medication, or combine the two therapies to treat depression.
     
  • Since adolescent depression increases violence, regular, timely treatment of the mental disorders is necessary. Treating depression can reduce the heavy burden crimes put on the criminal justice system.

Young Adults can choose Recovery from Depression and Violence

In 2015, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reported that 3 million adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years, or 12.5% of the U.S. citizens had depression. Teens with depression can show the symptoms below:

  • Sleeping excessively
     
  • A change in feeding habits
     
  • Inability to make decisions
     
  • Irresponsible or rebellious behavior
     
  • Memory loss and withdrawal family members and friends

Holistic treatment programs for the adolescent mental disorders may include a detailed individual patient assessment and studying the social, environmental, and genetic, social factors contributing to adolescent patients’ mental illnesses.

If you or someone you love needs help battling depression, you are not alone! Click HERE to schedule an appointment.

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