Depression is considered a chronic and recurrent illness. This has been proven with the finding of long-term follow-up studies of psychiatric outpatients. Among depressed patients treated by specialists, up to 50% do not recover by 6 months and 10% show a chronic course. Among those who recover, the risk of relapse is 40% or more over 2 years and exceeds 80% if the period of observation is extended to 15 years. One of the reasons why Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is turning out to be chronic and recurrent is that patients tend not to stop taking the medications prescribed by their doctor. Many stop their medications even if the medical doctor has not told them to do so. A common reason people stopped the medications was due to unpleasant side effects. This problem which is inherent in the nature of the drug needs to be addressed by both the medical community and the pharmaceutical industry. If the antidepressants are largely free from intolerable side effects, you will probably keep on using the drug for as long as it is needed, and the prevalence of chronicity and recurrence of MDD could be reduced. MDD could be reduced. In another study, it was revealed that when you do not respond to a medication or combination of medications for MDD within, or after, two weeks of treatment, then your chance of having a stable response or stable remission is very small.

Overview Teenagers face a range of pressures as they transition into puberty. With so much uncertainty and turmoil, it can be difficult to differentiate between everyday teenage growing pains and depression. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, major depression is a widespread mental health disorder affecting teenagers in the United States. There is more to teen depression than mere moodiness. It is a dangerous condition that has a negative impact on an individual’s life. The good news is that it is treatable, or at the very least manageable. Between the support of healthcare professionals and parents, teenagers are capable of living depression free lives. Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers An adult suffering from depression will seek out assistance on their own, but a teenager will rely on parents, teachers, and caregivers to recognize their pain and get them the help they are looking for. Therefore, if you know an adolescent, it is important to understand what depression in a teenager looks like and the steps you should take if you spot any warning signs. There are general stereotypes associated with depression. While many of them such as low mood, irritability and lack of motivation are true, these are not the only manifestations of depression in teenagers.