Nowadays, depression is becoming more common among teenagers due to various factors, such as family, school, and peers. But it is unclear if depression could be detected among preteens. Researchers from Cardiff University and Swansea University explored the possible relationship between academic performance and depression that may be present among preteens.

Connection between Academic Success and Mental Health Problems

When someone is experiencing symptoms of depression, one of the most common associated signs is poor academic performance, but no concrete evidence has proven if depression caused the drop in grades or the other way around. In girls, the link between depression and poor academic success is stronger than in boys. To find some sense in the cloudy relationship between the two things, a new study has been conducted.

A team of researchers from the Cardiff and Swansea universities studied the education and health records, which composed of general practitioner and hospital admission files, of 652,903 children who were aged 11 to 18 born between 1990 and 2014 in Wales. They also reviewed the test results from their schools to further examine academic performance.

The researchers found that children who decline in school were more prone to depression as a teenager. The children were performing well in academics at age 7 but were unable to meet milestones in certain skills, such as reading, writing, and numeracy, at age 11. When they became teenagers, hospital records showed that the children were diagnosed with depression. But researchers could not find the reasons why the children were unable to meet the milestones.

Another thing they found was that 5.1 percent of the children were diagnosed or treated for depression at age 19, which consisted of 33,498 children based on records the investigators had obtained. Finally, the study unmasked the self-harming tendency of children with depression. Researchers found that of those teenagers who showed lower school performance, about 2.4 percent or 15,946 children, were more likely to self-harm, indicating the same timeline of self-harm and decline in school progress. It also clarified that self-harm among the children was not connected with primary school years, but with teenage years.

However, the researchers did not figure out if the children had depression in their primary school years, which normally develops around teenage years. They also had no clear idea if poor school performance in the primary school years led to their mental health problem.

While there are still unclear parts between depression and academic performance, the study suggests that helping children who are suffering from poor academic scores can help identify and prevent symptoms of depression. The support for emotional and social development in children during their primary school is critical in reducing the risk of mental health problems later in life.

Depression Among Teenagers

While innovations in science and technology improved the lives of the youth, negative lifestyle habits like smoking and substance abuse, as well as adolescent pregnancy are taking down the supposedly healthy lives of teenagers. As a result, several adverse effects including anxiety and depression invade their lives. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 3.1 million teenagers, aged between 12 and 17, in the United States experienced at least one episode of major depression.

Parents and guardians should never ignore depression in teenagers because it is a serious mental health condition which can cause detrimental effects when they reach adulthood. The detrimental effects influence the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of their lives. Teen depression is usually linked to academic expectations from both teachers and caregivers, peer pressure including bullying and harassment, and the biological changes in their bodies.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of teenage depression include:

- Emotional changes, such as feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness. They may also experience feelings of anger, annoyance, and frustrations.

- Behavioral changes, such as neglect of appearance or personal hygiene, lack of interest, sudden outbursts, and self-harm.

- Mental changes, such as problems with concentration and thinking, grim thoughts, inability to make decisions.

Unfortunately, the mental health condition is not something that sheer will can fight. Children and teenagers need help to prevent serious consequences such as self-destruction and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Parents, guardians, and teachers can help children and teenagers suffering from depression through support and intervention of mental health professionals.

The condition is treatable but depending on the severity of depression, the therapist may use antidepressants such as Prozac and Lexapro. The patients and family members can also discuss the benefits and risk of taking such medications. In case the prescribed medication has unbearable side effects, the patient may discuss other types of antidepressants with the therapist to find the best medication.

Psychotherapy is also a treatment of depression and is usually combined with antidepressants to get better results. In psychotherapy or talk therapy, the patient learns about depression, unhealthy behaviors that can aggravate symptoms, ways to cope and solve issues, and how to set attainable goals.

[메디컬리포트=Ralph Chen 기자]