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David Mrazek, M.D.
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David Mrazek, M.D.
David Mrazek, M.D.
Dr. David A. Mrazek is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and a professor of psychiatry at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mrazek has developed a federally funded psychiatric pharmacogenomics research program and implemented clinical psychiatric pharmacogenomics services at Mayo Clinic.
He has received numerous awards including the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists and the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Mrazek has focused his current efforts on using pharmacogenomics testing to improve clinical care. One of his specific goals is to decrease the risks of taking psychiatric medications.
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Depression blog
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Sept. 27, 2008
Depression in teens: Watch for signs
By David Mrazek, M.D.
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We all know that adolescence can be a tumultuous time. Many changes occur simultaneously and it can be difficult to navigate this successfully. Your child may not understand why they are feeling the way they are. They may not share their feelings with parents. They may talk to friends or peers.
Watch for these signs of depression in teens:
- Withdrawal from friends, family, hobbies, sports and other activities
- Depressed mood
- Worsening school performance
- Decreased energy and/or motivation
- Anger, irritability or rage
- Being very sensitive (possibly overreacting) to criticism
- Poor self-esteem or guilt
- Decreased concentration, difficulty making decisions
- Restlessness
- Changes in sleep or eating habits
- Suicidal thoughts
If you know someone who is exhibiting several of these signs for days or weeks, have them seen by their pediatrician or health care provider. If active suicidal ideation is present with a plan and means, then proceed to the nearest emergency department. Treatment may involve talk therapy or medication.
A warning from the FDA was issued several years ago regarding the use of antidepressants. Emergence of significant restlessness, agitation, suicidal thoughts or behaviors are quite rare, but can occur. This needs to be discussed so the teenager is aware of possible side effects as are the parents. There is no evidence that antidepressants cause people to commit suicide. Keeping an open, two-way line of communication is very important. As in adults, teenage depression is treatable.
Please share your experiences with depression in teens.
115 comments posted
December 14, 2008 9:42 p.m.
Im only 13 and i think im clinically depresses.Sometimes i cry for no reason.0ne time i tried to cut myself but i dont know,i just couldnt do it.I see that my friends lifes are so much better than mine.My boyfriend lied to me and said he was a virgin then last night he told me he wasnt so now im scared that if we have sex that he will think im bad and brake up with me me.But i kinda doubt it but i dont this is all just really messed up.
- - Teenager [13]
November 15, 2008 12:50 a.m.
My son is 13 and he has had a lot of trouble with school this year. It started last year after my husband had an accident, actually it got worse after his accident. We have taken our son to counseling and had him tested for ADD, ODD etc. They said he's depressed and put him on Lexapro, which I know has not really had time to work. What is so frustrating is that he is so different outside home. He's very loving, caring, and always willing to help. BUT when it comes to turning in or even doing school work he just doesn't care. We are at our wits end with this. Tried everything to help family counseling, child psychologist, psychotherapist. Every night is just a battle between him and his dad.
- Lea
November 11, 2008 8:30 p.m.
My daughter has been suffering from depression for over 3 years, she is now 19. What I find frustrating is that in Canada there is an issue with patient confidentiality which I am struggling with. My daugther has been many different medications and is seeing three different types of doctors including her GP who has a specialized practice with teens. I feel like I am putting all my faith on this doctor. I have spoken to him twice, voicing my concerns as a parent, "Am I doing the right thing?" "Should I be acting in such a way" etc. My daughter keeps everything to herself and all I do is provide a silent reassurance that I am here for her. Where she was once very demonstrative towards me she is now not -- and that is fine, but as a parent, to see your child struggling is hard. I don't understand the doctor/patient confidentiality "thing". Also, thank you Angeltears for your comments - they helped me.
- Concerned Parent
October 31, 2008 11:42 p.m.
Tina I am raising my granddaughter and I took her to a counselor the first week she came to live with us, and she told me she didn't want to go. I told her, it was not an option. She was going. It was a good thing, she tried to commit suicide (her fourth attempt) She is now 17 and struggles, but it is nothing like it was. You are the parent and have responsiblity for your daughter until she is 18. Be loving, but be strong...
- Gayle
October 28, 2008 6:41 p.m.
It is good to see parents writing in. When I was 15 I become severely depressed, suicidal, and anorexic. I wanted help because I was so miserable, but didn't know how to ask for it. My mom finally confronted me about my eating disorder and I agreed to seek help, but by that point it was almost too late. I nearly died and was not expected to recover when I finally went into the hospital. It took about 35 hospitalizations, two residentials, a group home, countless therapists and shrinks and programs, etc... over the course of several years to deal with those conditions and others(self-injury, panic attacks) that came up along the way, but today at age 20 my problems are manageable. I'm happily married and expecting my first child. I'm living independently. I still struggle, but keep others updated when my mental health begins to dip so that I can stay on top of things. I guess I'm sharing this so others can see no matter how bad it gets, we can improve. My mom and I are no longer as close as we used to be. A lot of hurt happened in those dark years. Parents- don't give up on your kids.
- Angeltears
October 22, 2008 5:29 p.m.
I have a 15 yr old daughter that I'm having a hard time with. My husband and I have been trying to work with her by talking with her. She has mood swings, either she's angry and or crying and doesn't know why. I've tried to schedule her to see a psychotherapist but she would not go, so I went. I'm going to try and get my husband to go and hopefully if she see's that we're going maybe she would be so adamant about not wanting to go. I'm hoping that by talking with someone neutral she will feel better by off loading her feelings. I fear if the doctor were to put her on anti-depressants to help treat her because it may make things worst. I'm just so confused and don't know how to get her the help she needs. It's not like I can drag her to see the doctor.
- Tina
October 10, 2008 1:08 p.m.
my daughter was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She was at a hospital for a week, came home and 2 weeks later the doctor send her back for another week. After that she went to a group home for 2 more weeks. It was really hard to find the right medication, she tried like five different ones, and they didn't work, i was losing hope... and it was a very hard time for the whole family. Finally they gaver effexor 150mg and trazadone 100mg daily. Her depression is less severe and her anxiety attacks got less frecuent. We go to Family therapy with her one a week and she sees her doctor once a month. School is hard for her right now, she is going to start a new school which is only half a day. She used to take honor classes, and she made the Varsity Cheer Team at her high school. But for now we just want her to get better and all that fun stuff she can do again later. As a parent is very hard to deal with your child's depression, but there is a lot of help there, pay attention to the behavior changes, sometimes there not just teenage behavior, some times can be very serious.
- marisol
October 6, 2008 3:00 p.m.
my son has been told he has clinical depression he is 17. Has has gone to my brother is Spain for a while but is still suffering. My husband has suffered from depression since a heart attack 7 years ago and takes tablets but suffers with moaning and anger attacks. My step son hung him self three years ago after being on mild tablets for depression.What do we do he will be seeing a doctor to talk though how he is feeling and the best way forward buti feel i have let him down.
- katgirl
October 6, 2008 10:38 a.m.
Our daughter is now 20, and Friday was her 3rd attempt to take her life through overdose. She is meant to be going to college during the daytime, but isn't anymore - just staying at home watching DVDs or playing computer games or on the inetrnet. She is taking Effexor - has been for about 2 years. Both mom and dad are out working every day, so there's no-one at home. She is meant to be coming home from hospital tonight, but we don't feel happy that she will be at home alone. The hospital syas she will have outpatient treatment, but we know she won't even get on the bus to go. What can we do?
- Felix
October 3, 2008 11:48 a.m.
As a 17 year old girl, I understand what teenagers are going through. We don't like to ask for help, we wish people would read our minds and reach out to us. When people do, it may seem like they don't want to, so we'll push them away. We want someone who is really wanting to help us. We can't help how we feel, everyone needs help these days, we are just to afraid to ask for it.
- Sasha
October 1, 2008 10:37 a.m.
Lauren, Try to get your boyfriend to the emergency room ASAP. He can at least be hospitalized so that he doesn't have any more suicide attempts. The hospital is the best place for now. My husband and teenage son both had suicide attempts--the hospital at least gives the depressed a break from their current spiral downward. A.J.
- A.J.
September 30, 2008 9:58 p.m.
What is wrong with our teens ! My grandson 16 had depression trouble in school , left home . Not in contact with anyone . My niece 15 had depression and ran away twice . Now living with a distant female relative , not in contact with anyone here . How can they be reached ? What do we do ? Is this depression or what is going on with our teens ? How do we reach them
- Betty
September 29, 2008 11:46 a.m.
Lauren, Don't keep what your boyfriend has been doing a secret. I couldn't tell from your note whether or not he has gotten help. It is better to have him upset with you temporarily rather than taking a chance of him committing suicide. Tell his parents and yours. Talk to a teacher(s) at school immediately if your parents aren't available. Take this seriously.
- MC.Com Staff
September 29, 2008 5:43 a.m.
as a mother who son took it life I advise you to get him some help fast he tried o ake his life 3x he sounds clinical depressed and his age Do No Take Chances boys are higher risk have you do whatever it takes to get him treatmentincluding baker act if need to be .. my son told his friends he was going to take his life no one took him seriously he did ..you can encourage him but hes in deep pain you can not take this matter on yourself. tell his parents as well
- helen
September 28, 2008 7:08 a.m.
I feel so useless, over the past 3months my boyfriend has been suffering from depression and has even tried to take his own life on 3 occasions now. his only 22, im 18 and im finding it extremely hard. i dont no what 2 say 2 him when his feeling down, he has mood swings, he feels completley usless and helpless and im finding it hard 2 cope. i love him so much and just want to help him but i dont no how.. could you please give me some advice on how i can help him or how to act when im around him when his feeling this depressed.
- Lauren
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115 comments posted