Adolescent depression is increasing at an alarming rate. Recent surveys indicate that as many as one in five teens suffers from clinical depression. This is a serious problem that calls for prompt, appropriate treatment. Depression can take several forms, including bipolar disorder (formally called manic-depression), which is a condition that alternates between periods of euphoria and depression.

Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect teens to act moody. Also, adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well. They may not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may not seek help.

These symptoms may indicate depression, particularly when they last for more than two weeks:

• – Poor performance in school
• – Withdrawal from friends and activities
• – Sadness and hopelessness
• – Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation
• – Anger and rage
• – Overreaction to criticism
• – Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals
• – Poor self-esteem or guilt
• – Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
• – Restlessness and agitation
• – Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• – Substance abuse
• – Problems with authority
• – Suicidal thoughts or actions

Conduct disorder is a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in children and adolescents in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated. The child or adolescent usually exhibits these behavior patterns in a variety of settings—at home, at school, and in social situations—and they cause significant impairment in his or her social, academic, and family functioning.

What are the signs and symptoms of Conduct Disorder?

• – Aggressive behavior that causes or threatens harm to other people or animals, such as bullying or intimidating others, often initiating physical fights, or being physically cruel to animals.
• – Non-aggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage, such as fire-setting or the deliberate destruction of others’ property.
• – Deceitfulness or theft, such as breaking into someone’s house or car, or lying or “conning” others.
• – Serious rule violations, such as staying out at night when prohibited, running away from home overnight, or often being truant from school.

Many youth with conduct disorder may have trouble feeling and expressing empathy or remorse and reading social cues. These youth often misinterpret the actions of others as being hostile or aggressive and respond by escalating the situation into conflict. Conduct disorder may also be associated with other difficulties such as substance use, risk-taking behavior, school problems, and physical injury from accidents or fights.