Defining Depression

Compare Janice (in the Introduction) and Timothy for a moment. Although both suffer from low moods and are about the same age, there are significant differences between them (apart from gender). Janice functioned very well, until a relatively sudden decline in her mood occurred over a couple of months. Timothy, on the other hand, had always struggled to a degree, but developed increasing difficulties over a year or so. Once depressed mood set in, however, Janice had many more symptoms than Timothy. Her appetite, sleep, energy level, and ability to concentrate were all affected by depression. She expressed feelings of worthlessness and no longer en­joyed her previous activities. Timothy's sleep was disturbed and he made some self-deprecating remarks, but the change in his mood and behavior was far less dramatic than that of Janice.

Janice exemplifies major depression, a diagnosis made when people become dramatically impaired by depressed moods over a relatively short period of time. Timothy, on the other hand, exemplifies dysthymic disorder, a diagnosis given when people have some impairment, but to a lesser degree than in major depression. They typically experience a chronically low mood and their problems occur over a longer time period (usually a year or more). A third consideration in teens is whether changes in mood or behavior are part of a disorder or part of normal adolescence.



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