Today my son graduates from high school. His senior year has been a whirlwind of unfamiliar events: college applications, placement testing, campus visits, followed by more testing. This year he also attended as many school activities as he could manage, got fitted for a tuxedo, rode in a limo to prom, and attended lots of graduation parties. Now comes the big day when my oldest will be recognized, along with his peers, for his 13 years-worth of academic effort.
This flurry of activity has been wonderful and joyous, but his graduation will be a little sad. It will be sad for me because my little boy is all grown up and soon will be out on his own. But it turns out, that it is also incredibly sad for him.
After today everything changes. He no longer will follow a predictable schedule set by his school; he will be setting his own schedules. He won’t see the friends he loves on a regular basis; he will have to coordinate gatherings on weekends or during breaks from college. He must venture off and make brand new connections, learn a whole new set of social skills and rules, and recreate a brand new life at university. It is a huge life change for him. So it does not surprise me at all that he’s been acting a little depressed.
Being sad or blue should not be confused with actual, medical depression. Clinical depression has biological causes and is an area of intense scientific research. Scientists still don’t know everything about depression. They do know that dysfunction in the brain in which the neurons do not properly communicate with one another, hormonal imbalances, and disorders of the endocrine system play a role in the biological reasons for depression. There also seem to be genetic links predicating who will or will not develop depression. Clinical depression is a debilitating medical condition that must be treated with drugs, therapy and counseling.
Major life changes, however, also can bring on bouts of depression that may become, if not recognized and treated, equally as debilitating as the biological variety. More serious than just brief periods of melancholy, this type of depression can last for weeks. Typical triggers for depression include a divorce, loss of a job, or loss of a loved one to death. To a young person, a high school or college graduation can certainly be a major life change and trigger for depression.
Thankfully, I think that my son soon will become so involved in his summer activities and preparations for college that he will not become consumed by his feelings of loss about leaving high school and all his friends. But anyone with a recent graduate in their lives should watch out for signs of medical depression which, according to the National Institute of Mental Health include the following:
- A persistently sad, anxious or empty mood
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Excessive crying
- Decreased ability to concentrate and make decisions
- Decreased energy
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- Weight gain or loss
- Social withdrawal
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Increased restlessness and irritability
- Feelings of helplessness, guilt and/or hopelessness
- Physical ailments that don't respond to standard treatment (i.e., chronic headaches)
The American Psychiatric Association says a person must exhibit at least five of the above symptomsto be diagnosed with clinical depression.
To ease the transition from high school into whatever comes next, teens are encouraged to try a few simple steps. Mike Hardcastle at About.com suggests various ways for teens to retain precious relationships after graduation, while still moving boldly into the future. Hardcastle’s article offers concrete advice to teens (and their parents) that may be feeling a little blue and asking themselves “what now?” after commencement. Although rather long, the web article is worth the read.
For families facing something more serious than teens with “the blues,” the web site Families for Depression Awareness provides many resources so concerned families can recognize when someone is truly depressed. There is even a mood test to gauge if you or a loved one is becoming depressed and should seek professional help. Depression is not something that ought to be endured, but sufferers do need medical care.
So, congratulations to every member of the Class of 2009, whether you are graduating from kindergarten or earning your doctorate. I hope you each find joy, peace and fulfillment in the years to come and can avoid post-graduation depression amid all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds you.
No comments:
Post a Comment