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Adolescent depression: better decrypted, better detected

5 to 7% of adolescents experience a major depressive episode, which is quite different from adult depression. The research carried out by the psychologist Aurore Boulard brings to light factors and contexts, little known or under estimated up until now, which favour this phenomenon. The form and substance of depression in young people can now be better decrypted and detected. The scientist in addition recommends that we reconsider our way of living together at school.

Very differently to what adult depressives can experience, certain adolescents are subject to depression. It is estimated that 5 to 7% adolescents experience a major depressive episode (MDE), girls being twice as much affected than boys. This adolescent depression consists of several risks: character disorders, school failures, dependencies, suicidal behaviour (in the three years subsequent to MDE being diagnosed, 70% of young depressives attempt suicide), a reinforcement of symptoms as far as the appearance of chronic adult depression. Yet the condition of adolescent depression – whose symptoms are poorly identified – remains little diagnoses, often being confused for teen angst, a phase which will pass.

The recent research by Aurore Boulard, who teaches at the University of Liège’s Psychological and Clinical Human Systems Department and carries out consultations of children and adolescents at the University Psychology and Logopedics Clinic, casts new light on this subject.

In bringing together the results of three complementary studies carried out on young people – both through written questionnaires and individual ‘life narrative’ interviews, for which the vocabulary and emotions were analysed, Aurore Boulard reveals how verbal attacks, ‘perceived puberty timing’ and the feeling of being judged, amongst others, combine to plunge certain adolescents into a depressive spiral. ‘Exclusion, verbal attacks and the feeling of being judged by their peers play a major role on the well-being of adolescents, who are often thus isolated. Moreover, a depressive mood gives off signals of weakness likely to lead to attacks and the development of harassment situations, added to minimal social relations, are strongly related to the development of depressive emotions and suicidal ideas, above all amongst girls,’ she summarises. The weight of close relationships, somatic aspects (headaches, stomach pain), the propensity to search out contact at all cost, the tendency to bank everything on the school, irritability and the loss of energy constitute important indicators.
  
The researcher also, as a corollary, makes another observation: the notion of wellbeing is still too absent from preoccupations concerning our teenagers at school – whilst it is used more and more in the world of work. ‘ In an institutional manner, and together with the teachers, it should be possible to think through the ways of living together at school,’ she insists Aurore Boulard, suggesting that support groups should be set up within schools on a regular basis.

Find out more

Read ‘Young adolescents, depression and…the Titanic syndrome’ on the Reflexions webmagazine (the ULg website which makes research accessible http://reflexions.ulg.ac.be/depressionados

Photo : © Paulius Brazauskas - Fotolia.com

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