Nearly three-quarters of Australian adolescents experience depression or anxiety: study

Sydney (The Uttam Hindu): A recent study has revealed that nearly three-quarters of Australian adolescents experience significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. The research conducted by Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) found that 74% of adolescents reported experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression or anxiety at least once between the ages of 10 and 18. The study tracked the mental health of over 1,200 children in Melbourne from 2012 to 2019. Among the participants, 64% faced chronic depression or anxiety meaning they reported symptoms on three or more occasions during their adolescent years. Girls were found to be at a higher risk, with 84% reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety compared to 61% of boys.

Ellie Robson, the lead author of the study, expressed concern about the findings, noting the long-term health consequences of mental health issues during adolescence. "These results are alarming, especially considering how many young people experienced symptoms over multiple years, which can significantly impact their functioning and lead to lasting negative health outcomes," Robson said. The study also found that depression and anxiety symptoms were more likely to emerge during times of increased educational pressure, such as transitions between primary and secondary school, exams, and the end of compulsory education. Co-author Susan Sawyer noted that these findings represent the highest cumulative incidence of mental health symptoms ever reported in adolescents worldwide. The research team will now explore how these reported symptoms affect the overall health and functioning of today's adolescents. In related news a recent study revealed a potential new approach to treating mood disorders like depression and anxiety by targeting cells in the gut with antidepressant medications. Researchers suggest that this approach could offer a more effective treatment with fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft which raise serotonin levels but may cause intolerable side effects. This novel method could also be beneficial for pregnant women avoiding potential risks to their children.