Cases and Causes of Depression among School Going Adolescents in Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Depression is a mental syndrome and lifetime prevalence of depression is found to be 16.2% in general population. Symptoms of depression in adolescent are different in comparison to adults. These symptoms include disrupted sleep, weigh loss or gain, stubbornness, irritating behavior while getting ready for school and loss of interest in sports. Major risk factors for depressive disorder in adolescent are low socioeconomic status, poverty and low parental education. A descriptive study was conducted in which data was collected through a validated questionnaire from more than 15 randomly selected private and government schools in Lahore. Total 478 students (F=190, M=288) from different schools with different socioeconomics background participated in the present study. Around 438 (91.6%) students responded that they have gone through the depression at some phase of their life. 23.2% and 43.9% students answered that they feel ignored and worthless by their family members often or occasionally, respectively. Domestic fights, quarrel and unfriendly environment, like shouting and use of abusive language disturb the psychological health of the children and provoke feelings of loneliness and sadness. Depression is a mental illness and one should not be shy about and feel uncomfortable for getting help. Seminars for awareness should be conducted at Government and Private level to reduce the incidence of depression among teenagers.