Because signs of depressive disorders in adolescents often are viewed as normal mood swings typical of a particular developmental age, diagnosis can be tricky. According to recent studies, some 2.5 percent of children and 8.3 percent of teens in the U.S. suffer depression. Clinical depression is expected to affect more than 19 million Americans this year alone. While less common for teenagers than adults, nearly three to five percent of the teen population will be diagnosed with depression this year. That means one of every 25 children in a classroom could be affected.
NIMH experts say boys and girls appear to be at equal risk for depressive disorders as children.
But that changes during adolescence when girls are twice as likely as boys to develop depression. It has been linked to poor school performance, truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. In the last 25 years, the rate of teen suicide has increased dramatically. Suicide often is linked to depression. Since 1964, the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults has doubled.