Can hormonal imbalance cause severe depression in teenagers?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am posting here as the mother of a 14-year-old girl. Over the past few months, she has been extremely tired and withdrawn. Even after sleeping for nine to ten hours, she wakes up saying that her body feels heavy and that she simply cannot get out of bed, especially in the mornings.

Her PHQ-9 score was 18. Her vitamin D level was very low at 12, and her thyroid function tests showed borderline low thyroid levels. Her grades are falling, and family members keep saying that she is lazy, which hurts her deeply.

Why does depression make getting out of bed feel impossible at this age?
Can low vitamin D levels or a hormonal imbalance make depression this severe in teenagers?
How can we explain that this is a real illness and not an attitude problem or dramatic behavior?

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq. com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Her patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score is suggestive of moderately severe depression. Low vitamin D levels and hypothyroidism are strongly associated with depression and can worsen an existing episode of major depressive disorder.

This is not exclusive to teens but could also apply to adults. But teens tend to experience heightened levels of distress as a result of limited comprehension of their feelings and experiences in life.

Please let me know whether she is currently taking any medications. If yes, kindly mention the generic name of the medicine, the dose, and the duration of use.

Explaining this condition to other family members can be challenging because people often have preconceived beliefs and misconceptions about mental health. Changing long-standing beliefs may not be easy. Therefore, the primary focus should be on supporting and caring for her.

It is important to seek appropriate treatment and help her manage her daily activities. Encourage her to gradually increase physical activity, starting with low-intensity exercises and progressing slowly. Motivate her to practice yoga, set small and achievable goals, use positive reinforcement strategies, and appreciate her efforts and small achievements.

I hope it helps.