Texto 1: Teen depression
Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function.
Though the term “depression” can describe a normal human emotion, it also can refer to a mental health illness. Depressive illness in children and teens is defined when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function.
Depression is common in teens and younger children. About 5 percent of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time. Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Teenager girls are at especially high risk, as are minority youth. Depressed youth often have problems at home. In many cases, the parents are depressed, as depression tends to run in families. Over the past 50 years, depression rises, so does the teen suicide rate.
It is important to remember that the behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. The characteristics vary, with most children and teens having additional psychiatric disorders, such as behavior disorders or substance abuse problems.
Mental health professionals advise parents to be aware of signs of depression in their children. Some of these signs may be: frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying; hopelessness; decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities; persistent boredom; low energy; social isolation; poor communication; poor concentration; extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and increased irritability, anger, or hostility; among others.
(Extraído de: www.focusas.com/Depression.html)
Texto 2: Adolescent Depression: Helping depressed teens
It’s not unusual for young people to experience “the blues” or feel “down in the dumps” occasionally. Adolescence is always an unsetting time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life.
Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejections and can lead to deep disappointment. When things go wrong at schools or at home, teens often overreact. Many young people feel that life is not fair or that things “never go their way.” They feel “stressed out” and confused. To make matters worse, teens are bombarded by conflicting messages from parents, friends and society. Today’s teens see more of what life has to offer – both good and bad – on television, at school, in magazines and on the Internet. They are also forced to learn about the threat of AIDS, even if they are nor sexually active or using drugs.
Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention – adolescent depression. Parents or caregivers must take action.
Depressions can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect teens to act moody. Also, adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well. They may not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may not seek help.
(Extraído de www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/24.cfm)
Considerando os dois textos lidos, escolha a alternativa que contém um conselho útil para um adolescente que apresenta sintomas de depressão.
a) Sempre exija o máximo de você mesmo e nunca peça nenhum tipo de orientação. Assim, sua depressão se transformará em auto-confiança.
b) Aprenda a reconhecer seus padrões de humor para fazer as coisas de que não gosta apenas quando estiver de mau humor.
c) Quando sentir vontade, passe o dia todo na cama, sem fazer nada. Dessa maneira, você não se sentirá tão deprimido.
d) Tome todas as decisões importantes sozinho, sem nunca pedir a ajuda de quem conhece você bem e de quem possa ter uma visão mais objetiva da situação.
e) Participe de atividades que façam bem a você e que façam você se sentir melhor; isso, no mínimo, distrairá você e fará com que não se sinta tão deprimido.
