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Depression care via online messaging may benefit teens

By Staff Writer

Medical professionals are taking advantage of technology to provide depression patients with convenient care, and a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine shows that these treatment methods are effective.

Researchers split more than 200 participants who had depression into two groups. One received standard face-to-face care, while members of the other set consulted with psychiatric nurses online.

The results showed that those who received virtual care reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression, were more likely to adhere to their medication regimens and reported more instances of being "very satisfied" with their provided therapy.

Many teens are accustomed to using cellphone and online technologies as their primary source of communication, so these new methods of treatment may be more comfortable for them than traditional visits to therapists would be.

One of the researchers noted that many young people who seek treatment for their emotional disorders receive antidepressants, but he believes that there seems to be an insufficient amount of follow-up care provided to these individuals.

Teens who have chronic depression or other psychological ailments may benefit from attending boarding schools for troubled youth, where they may improve their conditions through residential care.

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