Teenagers in the United States are facing a crisis, as indicated by a recent survey. The survey revealed that more than half of high school girls and almost a third of teenage boys reported persistent feelings of “sadness or hopelessness,” which are common symptoms of depression. Psychologist Kathleen Ethier, who heads the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, believes that nobody is doing well in this regard. The survey, which collected data from over 17,000 students in 31 states, covered various aspects of mental health, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors, sexual behavior, substance use, and experiences of violence. One particular chart from the survey drew significant media attention, showing that from 2011 to 2021, the percentage of boys experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness increased by 8 points, while the percentage of girls experiencing these feelings rose by a staggering 21 points. Researchers suggest that some of this disparity may be due to the unique stressors faced by girls, such as mental distress from social media use, higher likelihood of sexual violence, and a political climate that often undermines women’s rights. However, the difference between boys and girls may not be as wide as the numbers indicate. Evidence suggests that depression manifests differently in males and females, with girls more likely to internalize their feelings and boys more likely to externalize them through behaviors like irritability, aggression, or risky actions. The traditional screening tools used to detect depression, which focus on terms like “sadness” and “hopelessness,” may fail to capture these typically male symptoms. Additionally, societal norms equating sadness with weakness may make males less willing to openly admit their emotions, even in anonymous surveys. As a result, about 1 in 10 males experiencing depression may go unnoticed by current screening methods. Clinical psychologist Ryon McDermott of the University of South Alabama emphasizes the need to recognize and address the suffering experienced by boys and men, as they are often overlooked in assessments and discussions. This issue of overlooked depression in men is not a recent development. A case study on the Swedish island of Gotland revealed that, in the 1960s and ’70s, suicide rates were high but dropped significantly after an education program on depression treatment and suicide prevention was introduced in 1983. However, the decrease in suicide rates was primarily observed among women, while men’s suicide rates remained steady. A psychiatrist theorized that men struggling with suicidal thoughts were less likely to seek help and more likely to have their depressive symptoms ignored by doctors because their presentation did not align with typical symptoms of depression, like sadness. This disparity in diagnosing and treating depression between men and women may explain why, at the time, men in Sweden were diagnosed with depression half as often as women but died by suicide five times as often. To address this issue, screening tools specifically designed for male depression were developed, focusing on emotions like anger, aggression, risk-taking, somatic symptoms, and substance use, rather than traditional symptoms like sadness. Research demonstrated that some men met the criteria for depression on these male-specific scales but not on traditional scales. Including male-specific questions about depression in surveys like the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the CDC could help reduce the gender gap in reporting depression among teenagers. Simon Rice, a clinical psychologist at Orygen, an Australian research institute focusing on youth mental health, developed the Male Depression Risk Scale, which considers factors like emotion suppression, anger, aggression, risk-taking, and somatic symptoms. In a study of Canadian men, it was found that 8 percent met the criteria for depression only on a traditional scale that included a question about feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while 11 percent met the criteria only on the male-specific scale. These findings suggest that including male-specific questions about depression could help identify cases that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, the idea that acting out and aggression can be symptoms of depression is still debated. The CDC’s survey includes a question that accurately predicts depressive symptoms in both boys and girls: “During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?” While some argue that this question is effective in identifying depression, others believe that behavioral problems observed in boys could indicate other disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Nevertheless, it is important to provide the proper diagnosis for appropriate treatment and future well-being. McDermott asserts that while it is difficult to determine with certainty if all acting-out boys are experiencing depression, it is likely that many of them are. The core symptoms of depression, regardless of gender, are the same, but traditional depression scales focusing on internalizing symptoms may yield lower scores for depressed men compared to depressed women. This discrepancy may be influenced by gender norms that discourage men from showing vulnerability and expressing feelings of hopelessness. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for these gender differences. In conclusion, it is crucial to address the mental health crisis affecting teenagers in the United States, with a specific focus on accurately identifying and addressing depression in boys and men. Improvements in screening tools, including male-specific questions, can help bridge the gender gap in reporting depression and ensure that the suffering of boys and men is not overlooked.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
