This article is from the WebMD Medical News Archive

Dec. 20, 2002 -- The holidays may make an unhappy teenager even more depressed and increase the risk of dangerous behaviors such as drinking alcohol and having sex. The first National Holiday Teen Mood Survey shows that adolescent girls may be particularly at risk during this time of year, and few depressed teens are getting the psychological help they need.

Researchers found that 54% of depressed girls feel more depressed and sad during the holiday season and 19% of depressed teenage boys say the season negatively affects their mood.

Researcher Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, director of the New York University Child Study Center, says the findings are particularly troubling because a 1999 surgeon general's report shows only one out of five children with a psychiatric illness receives treatment.

"We know that teens that suffer from depression and do not receive treatment are at higher risk for abusing substances and engaging in risky behavior," says Koplewicz, in a news release. "This survey shows that not only are depressed teens more at risk throughout the year, but that this risk increases during the holiday season."

The Internet survey involved more than 400 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 and was conducted Dec. 3-6 of this year.

Nine out of 10 adolescents surveyed said they experience feelings of depression or sadness, and 43% of girls and 28% of boys said they've had periods of depression last at least two weeks, which is a major sign of clinical depression. More than 80% of these teens said have never received treatment for these symptoms.

In addition, researchers say the holiday season is especially dangerous for untreated depressed teens because it tends to promote risky behaviors such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and having sex. Almost four out of ten depressed girls in the survey said they are more likely to drink alcohol during the holidays.

The study also found that depressed teens are more likely than other teens to engage in these high-risk activities at any time of the year, and girls are especially vulnerable. For example:

• 70% of depressed girls said they drink alcohol compared to 58% of non-depressed girls.
• 55% of depressed girls take non-prescription drugs versus 39% of non-depressed girls.
• 35% of depressed girls are sexually active versus 23% of girls who are not depressed.

Researchers say parents should be especially vigilant about monitoring their adolescent children for signs of depression during the holidays and encourage them to seek treatment if they become depressed. Symptoms of depression in teens include the following:

• Irritable or depressed mood
• Change in sleeping habits
• Change in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Social isolation
• Deterioration of academic performance

SOURCES: National Holiday Teen Mood Survey, conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc. and led by the New York University Child Study Center • News release, New York University.

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