Adolescent depression: A current and growing public health problem

Abstract

Depression is a serious global public health problem that is causing increasing concern due to its growing prevalence in all age groups, particularly when begins during adolescence. Generally interpreted as a natural consequence of modern life, depression can manifest itself with a wide variety of symptoms that affect somatic, cognitive, affective, and social processes, compromising people's development, functionality, quality of life, and even survival. Adolescence, in turn, is a particular phase of human physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development, marked by major changes in body structure - especially reproductive capacity - in the central nervous system, and in emotional and personality maturation. It is recognised as a window of vulnerability for the emergence of physical and emotional illnesses that can last into adulthood. This article presents some characteristics of the development of the central nervous system and emotional evolution of adolescents and aspects related to the onset of depression, highlighting its clinical manifestations, associated factors, consequences, screening and diagnostic methods, as well as currently recommended therapeutic proposals and preventive actions.