By Nicole Haley

Every teenager gets moody and depressed. It is just a phase.

According to Carol Glod, associate professor and research director at Northeastern’s School of Nursing, myths such as this have hindered the understanding and research of adolescent depression.

In an attempt to find out more about this largely neglected issue, Glod is currently conducting two studies at McLean Hospital in Belmont., where she serves as Director of Nursing Research.

“We think [depression] is a brain disorder. It’s not a weakness or something the person has brought on themselves,” said Glod, referring to common misconceptions about depression.

In both studies, the participants are between the ages of 12 and 19. The first study compares the effects of two different anti-depressants. Each patient has a one in three chance of either receiving the first anti-depressant, the second anti-depressant or a placebo. The two drugs are different classes of anti-depressants and work differently with the chemistry in the brain, Glod said.

According to Glod, the purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness the treatments in comparison to one another. Glod said , as of now, Prozac is the only drug technically approved for prescription to youths for depression, and this first study aims to explore other possible options.

The treatments used for adult depression have not been effective for adolescent depression. Because adolescents are different in their physical composition than adults, they can have different reactions to treatment. In particular, children metabolize faster than adults do, resulting in differing effects from treatments. Glod said that these kinds of differences make it necessary to do this research and find out what type of treatment can work best for depressed adolescents.

Her second study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze brain functioning during treatments. By studying such quantifiable data, Glod hopes to help eliminate some of the negative stigma attached to depression.

Though Glod stressed that their findings here are very preliminary, she said that as people respond to the medication, there are noted changes in brain activity in the region that controls one’s mood.

“The very simplified explanation is that as the person gets better, the brain gets better,” said Glod.

Northeastern Dean of Nursing Nancy Hoffart said the department is very excited about Glod’s work.

“She’s advancing our understanding of the causes and implications of children with mental illnesses, which will help improve our treatments,” said Hoffart.

Glod said that her interest in youth depression developed out of her work with adults. Many of her patients told her that their depression began in childhood and went undiagnosed.

She believes that part of the reason adolescent depression goes untreated is because parents may be reluctant to accept that their child may have a mental illness.

“Most people don’t want to think their child has depression because they think it would make them responsible. It’s easier for them just to say it’s not serious,” Glod said.

There are certain signs that can help a parent or other adult to distinguish depression from what can be construed as normal teen angst, Glod said.

One of the main differences in the way depression is seen in adolescents as opposed to adults is the tendency for teens to display irritable behavior. Glod pointed out that an adolescent is more likely to show anger than the conventional feeling of sadness normally associated with depression.

Other signs of depression in teens are changes in sleep pattern, changes in appetite, and loss of energy. Glod stressed that the expression of suicidal thoughts is a major sign of depression.

“There’s a myth that most teenagers contemplate suicide, but it’s not normal to think about killing yourself,” Glod explained.

Glod also dispelled the myth that depression results from dealing with change.

“College is an adjustment, but it doesn’t cause depression,” she said.

With one relative of her own that suffers from depression, Glod said that it is important for families to understand depression in order to help each other. Glod hopes that her research will give them some of the insight necessary to do so.

“Recruiting participants for the research has been difficult because parents have so many concerns about letting their child get involved with experimental medications,” she said.

Glod said that some participants are paid, which provides extra incentive, but that most people come in because “they want to help us learn more about depression and they want to help science.” Glod stressed that they are still looking for people to participate in the research.

For more information on the study, or to become a participant, visit www.mccleanhospital.org/research/studydetails or call 617-855-3325.