Section B
Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.
Depression in Tweens Is On the Rise
[A] According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for children aged 10 to 14 nearly tripled from 2007 to 2017, while the number of 12- to 17-year-olds who experienced a major depressive episode in the past year increased by more than 50%.
[B] Tweens often get the same illness as older teens do in studies, but they possess distinct characteristics and needs. Researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics, for example, that while 50% of parents were unaware of their 11- to 17-year old’s suicidal thoughts, younger adolescents were more likely than older teens to deny their pain. Younger teens and preteens also are more likely to have trouble distinguishing between the normal mood fluctuations associated with adolescence and clinical depression, and they’re more likely than older teens to have difficulty articulating their sadness.
[C] On top of these challenges, depression can seem unreasonable with a tween’s (10-12 岁小孩的) behavior. “When kids look like adults who are depressed, maybe they’re sad or slowed down, not eating or eating too much, sleeping too little or too much, we worry,” says Ken Ginsburg, co-founder and director of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, and author of “Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings.” “The problem is that about half of adolescent depression looks like irritability or rage, and we see those young people as bad instead of sad, and therefore miss the opportunity to support them,” he explains. “We have a myth about adolescent moodiness that makes people see things as ‘normal’ when they may be danger signals.”
[D] To help spot problems, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued updated teen depression guidelines in 2018 that call for universal screening for depression for kids ages 12 and up. Only about 50% of adolescents with depression get diagnosed, and as many as 2 in 3 depressed teens don’t get treatment. Given the high risks, parents and educators need to understand, spot and address tween depression. Here are four ways they can prevent kids from falling through the cracks:
[E] To start off, parents should be ready to gather clues. “Occasional moodiness is normal, especially if at home, but extreme moodiness or rage is not n ormal,” Ginsburg says. “Parents need to check in with teachers, coaches and other adults to see if they’ve noticed a change, and then seek professional guidance.” A parent might ask: Does she appear less enthusiastic or involved in an activity or her classwork? Have you noticed changes in his attitude or interactions with friends?
[F] Collect data from your child, too. Take note if your tween has periods of intense sadness or makes suicidal comments, and watch for signs your tween might be self-harming. For example, teens who are cutting may wear long sleeves even in hot weather.
[G] Keep calm if your child says or does something disturbing. When tweens feel judged or criticized or anticipate parental drama, they’re more likely to shut down. When in doubt, tell your child that they deserve to feel better and can feel better, and then find a mental health professional who can conduct an evaluation.