Adolescent Referrals for ‘Mood Disorder’ on the Rise, Specialist Claims

 LOS ANGELES (Disassociated Press) – May 3, 2007 – Across the country, in the nation’s schools, adolescent and teenage referrals for mental health related to “sadness” and “depression” has seen a recent pronounced rise, according to Bartholomew J. Sneed, Professor of Behavioral Studies at the School for Education here at the University of California at Los Angeles.

         “The girls are overwhelmingly the main subjects of this new epidemic,” Sneed reports.  The sharp rise began about two weeks ago, and curiously appears to be related to the dismissal of Sanjaya from American Idol, a popular contestant on that show.

         “Ever since that time, school health officials everywhere are reporting extreme elevations in sorrow, disengagement and a lack of focus in America’s female youth,” continued Sneed.  “Loss of appetite and a disinterest in previously entertaining and joyous activities are accompanying symptoms.”

         Sneed, however, cautions against any over-reaction to the new phenomenon – “Justin Timberlake will be back on concert tour here in the States in the not too distant future – so everything should be fine soon.”

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