Study: Teen 'angst' can actually be early signs of depression

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - May is Mental Heath Awareness Month and a new study that was just released has an important warning for teenagers who suffer depression.

A new study released from The American Academy of Pediatrics says ordinary sounding expressions of teen angst may signal early depression.

Teens apparently do not use the word "depressed" to often describe how they feel. They are more likely to say they have "bursts of sadness or feeling stressed."

Many teens noticed they were angry, irritable, and just felt apathy toward things they used to enjoy doing. They would often say they had difficulty sleeping and thought that it was due to too much homework or family troubles.

When teens saw a doctor, they complained of physical illnesses, not depression, including migraines, fatigue, and stomach pain.

Local 12 talked to Assurex Health in Mason how this month is about Mental Health Awareness. They have designed a lab test that may help patients get the right treatment based on their own DNA.

While it's a more general approach to get medication, the test can make a difference in getting teens and adults the right kind of therapy or other treatment that might work too.

When patients get help, they say they can't believe how much better they feel, both emotionally and physically.

Doreen Schowalter, who has received treatment for depression, said "I was starting to see light, I was starting to feel myself again. I actually am smiling getting more into conversations and feeling. Just feeling something, that I didn't feel before. I felt dead for a long time."

"We are the only test that has five published clinical trials, that have proven not only that the test is predictive of patient outcomes, but they more than double patient response rates, and remission rates," said Bryan Dechairo of Assurex Health.

Dr. Nelson Rodriguez, a psychiatrist at the Lindner Center of Hope, said "one out of five people are suffering from a mental illness, and among this most of them are suffering from a mood disorder, particularly depression."

Any teen that is struggling with depression based on some of those symptoms, or thinks they may be suffering from depression, can follow this link to the Lindner Center of Hope, which can help them get the right treatment.

Assurex Health can help anyone find a health care provider that uses their testing.

Pediatricians are trying to get the word out about teen depression, because hospital admissions for teen suicide attempts are also up from previous years.