Age and Depression

Depression is a common mental illness that transcends age, gender, ethnicity and race. Many studies have been conducted to see if age and depression are related along with panic disorder. These studies continue to offer interesting results. Research is also on-going to determine if age and depression in women are correlated.

Depression During The Adolescent Years

Age and depression statistics released by the government show that teen and pre-teen girls are more susceptible to depression than boys of the same age group. According to age and depression statistics released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the percentage of girls suffering from depression becomes three times more between ages 12 and 15. Experts who reviewed this data feel that we must be on the lookout for depression symptoms onset much earlier in girls.

Age And Depression Symptoms

The relationship between depression and age is evident even during the very early stages of life. It is the responsibility of parents to listen to their kids and look into some depression test types. We must give special attention when our kids talk about bullying in school and about feeling sad and low. Parents must also keep a close watch on their appetite and notice any decline in their interest in food.

Symptoms of age and depression in women are evident much before they cross their adolescent and teen years. They may be in the clutches of constant depression or may experience episodes of low mood that lasts for a couple of weeks or more. Other symptoms depressed kids exhibit include change in concentration levels, changes in day to day functioning and loss of interest in activities they otherwise used to enjoy.

Stark Difference In Depression Rates Among Boys And Girls

Age and depression statistics show that between the age group of 12 and 17, at least 1.4 million girls last year suffered from depressive episodes. As compared to their male peers, this figure is at least three times more. As of now, there is no clear understanding of the reason for this disparity.

Equal numbers of boys and girls seem to suffer from low moods before puberty. The drastic increase in the number of girls experiencing depression after this may be due to certain hormonal and biological changes in them. Psychological factors too play a major role with increased peer pressure and demand for peer interaction. Though boys also face these stressors, they are better able to handle them as the hormonal and physical changes in them are milder than in girls. As you consider the impact of age and depression, these factors make females more vulnerable.

Counseling Teenage Girls And Helping Them Cope

Experts feel that developing strong social support systems and counseling teenage girls could help them cope better with challenging situations. This in turn will help keep depression at bay. As age and depression in women are correlated, this will also reduce incidence of depression in women. As the depression treatment for teen girls are similar to what is administered for adults, age and depression statistics show that between the ages 12 and 17, at least 4.6 per cent girls are on antidepressants as compared to 2.8 per cent boys.