Teenage Depression – Teenagers’ Acne And the Risk Of Depression
Depression remains an integral medical issue for young adults with approximately 20 % experiencing depression by the time they reach adulthood” – Dr. Sullivan, a respected dermatologist and chair of the Severe laser acne treatment Resource. He went on to underline the need to regularly monitor for depression in all patients with acne, particularly those with the more severe forms.
Young adults are particularly vulnerable because acne starts in adolescence, which is also a time when teenage depression and anxiety are prevalent. Add acne to the mix of day-to-day stress, combined with the wish to have peer respect and concern for their appearance, after which we are able to understand why some young adults have a problem when controling their lives. Health care professionals report that by the time many young adults get to view a dermatologist they have been already distressed.
Teenagers’ Acne is not a trivial ailment
It is very simple to dismiss acne as trivial and something that will pass with age. However, research has discovered that young peoples’ responses to acne cause the same levels of social, emotional and psychological effects as are found in those that suffer from much more serious chronic ailments such as diabetes, asthma and epilepsy. Acne, as well as other chronic ailments, can be associated with social isolation, self-consciousness, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of teenage depression are not confined to any one region or country. A fresh Zealand study has found some young adults with acne become so depressed they’ve suicidal thoughts. The study also found the more severe the acne the higher the risk of self-harm. In Oslo, Norway, teenagers’ acne is significantly associated with mental distress in late adolescents.
The evidence over some years points to a small grouping of people vulnerable to mental illness. The chance exists in all acne sufferers but particularly in teenagers. Acne increases the risk of teenage depression.
Family and friends have to be watchful
Health care professionals ask friends and groups of acne sufferers to view for any signs of depression after which to cause them to become seek medical help should they detect any problems. There is a very clear message from the research and from health care professionals: teenagers’ acne has to be used seriously and the ones closest for them need to be aware of any signs of distress or depression. If these signs can be found, young adults have to be encouraged to find medical help.
The good thing is, those struggling with teenagers’ acne generally improve in self-esteem and in mental health as their acne improves with treatment.
Filed under Acne by on Jan 27th, 2012. 