Depression In Teens: How Symptoms Affect Adolescents
Depression can affect the mental health of teens and adults alike. However, it may be a bit more difficult to recognize depression in teens, since some of the symptoms overlap with normal adolescent behaviors that can be a result of the many changes experienced during this time of life. Becoming more withdrawn or not enjoying things that they used to, for example, could be symptoms of a mental illness or perfectly normal parts of growing up. Read on to learn about how to tell if your teen’s behaviors may indicate something more than normal growing pains, like depression—which is a serious mental illness that can be managed with treatment.
Symptoms of depression in teenagers
That way, you can help teens seek the treatment they may need if you notice that they’re exhibiting some of the symptoms below.
Diagnosis of MDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
Remember that according to the latest diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM-V), a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) requires several of these symptoms to persist for at least two weeks and that the first two are experienced daily or almost daily. That’s why it may be helpful for parents to keep track of when they first start noticing these behaviors in their teens, so they can provide this information to a mental health professional.
Major depressive disorder symptoms
Symptoms of clinical depression in teenagers may include:
- Feeling sad and hopeless, or experiencing senses of numbness and emptiness
- A loss of pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
- Increased irritability and anger
- Increased anxiety
- Isolating oneself from friends and family
- Low self-esteem, extreme sensitivity to perceived criticism
- Low energy and a lack of motivation to follow through on daily tasks
- Changes in sleep patterns (either sleeping too much or too little)
- Changes in eating patterns (either eating more or less than usual)
- Problems with concentration and focus
- Random aches and pains throughout the body that have no other explanation
- Problems with performance or behavior in school (dropping grades, getting into fights or trouble, etc.)
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal thoughts; self-harm behaviors like cutting or burning
Suicide prevention
Above all else, suicide prevention is key in this situation. If you believe that your teen may be at risk of harming themselves or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please seek out help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988, and it’s available 24/7.
Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder among teenagers
Some of these depression symptoms may also be present in other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. This is why a diagnosis from a health professional who specializes in mental disorders is essential if you are concerned that your teen may be experiencing major depression. Friends and family members are not qualified to tell the difference between depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.
Overlooked symptoms of depression in teens
The symptoms of teen depression explain why you can likely see some parents of teens not noticing symptoms but classifying them as normal signs of growing up. For example, it’s often perfectly natural for teens to need more food and sleep over time. Teens may also start moving away from certain activities that they believe are childish or begin asking for more freedom, none of which are cause for alarm in and of themselves. Paying attention to how long these symptoms last and whether your teen seems to be experiencing several of them can help you decide whether it’s wise to seek help for their mental health.
Risk factors for depression in teens
According to the American Psychiatric Association, some risk factors for teen depression include a family history of depression, early childhood trauma, or the home environment in which they’re raised. Overall, a child with one or more family members with mental illness is more likely to have depression. Many factors can be at play, however, including the following:
- Hormones
- Brain chemistry
- Low self-esteem that results from and leads to patterns of negative thinking and learned helplessness
- Having other mental health conditions or physical health problems
- Circumstances in the teen’s life, like being gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual in an unsupportive environment
What to do if you notice signs of teen depression
Keeping an eye out for signs of depression in teenagers or any other mental illnesses is the first step. If you notice some, reaching out for help is typically the next. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) encourages parents to schedule an appointment with their teen’s primary care physician first in this case. Although the symptoms of depression do not always need an underlying cause, the National Institute of Mental Health advises that some depressive episodes may be triggered by a physical health condition that a doctor can find and identify.
Seek mental health support through counseling
How to treat depression in teenagers? If depression symptoms are present and there are no contributing medical problems, the next step is to meet with a mental health professional. They can evaluate your child’s mental health status and decide on a treatment plan if necessary. This may include psychotherapy, medication, or both if your child is diagnosed with adolescent depression.
Psychiatric specialists for adolescents
A specialist in adolescent psychiatry may be necessary if your doctor decides that medication is the best path forward. A mental health professional can also provide a safe space for your teenager to express and work through difficult emotions and can offer strategies for managing any symptoms of a mental illness that they may be experiencing. Your child’s doctor may be able to give you a recommendation for a nearby counselor, or you may be able to find one in your area on your own. If you cannot locate the right resources for your teenager near you or believe they’d feel more comfortable with a format that’s not in-person, you may want to consider online counseling platforms.
Online therapy platforms for depression anxiety
With an online therapy platform like TeenCounseling, for example, your child can get matched with a licensed therapist whom they can meet with via phone, video call, and/or online chat once they have your consent. Some find the virtual therapy format more comfortable, and one study even found that participants believed it was easier to form a personal connection with their provider virtually than in person. Since research suggests that both in-person and online therapy offer similar benefits, you and your teen are free to choose the most comfortable method. Trained mental health professionals can also provide treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy in person or online to help your teen improve any symptoms they’re experiencing.
Preventing depression in adolescents
In therapy, your teens will likely learn how to cope with symptoms of adolescent depression and how to avoid stressors that can trigger or worsen them. You can support your teens by encouraging them to cultivate healthy habits that can support their mental health. For example, you can try:
- Making sure that teens get enough sleep on a regular basis
- Reducing stress where possible, which may include helping them edit their schedule
- Providing them with healthy meal options
- Encouraging teens to take part in more activities that increase their joy
- Practicing nonjudgmental, supportive listening so they know they can come to you with their problems
- Encouraging teens to get regular exercise, perhaps by joining a sports team or a gym
- Having teens spend more time with supportive friends and family
- Challenging unrealistic or distorted thoughts or beliefs they may tell themselves
Support teenagers’ mental health with counseling and other resources
You can support your teens on their mental health journey in these ways, but it’s important to remember that they’ll also have to put in some effort themselves. Working through their feelings and challenging negative thoughts are key healing processes that take place mainly internally. Connecting teens with the right mental health resources and encouraging them when they share their progress with you are the main tasks you can try, in addition to helping teens build the healthy habits listed here.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about depression in teens.
Is therapy effective for teen depression?
Therapy and other mental health services, such as antidepressant medication, can be highly effective for depressed teens. Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is often considered the first line of treatment, helping teens learn to cope with mental health problems in a safe environment where they can discuss their feelings without judgment. A teen does not have to be diagnosed with clinical depression or another mental illness to seek therapy. Even teens showing warning signs of depression can seek professional help.
How do you know if your teens are unhappy?
Teens might not immediately talk to their parents or caregivers about their mood, and most teens may struggle to understand what they’re experiencing when they have negative feelings. They may struggle to put words to their experience or fail to realize their depression is a serious problem. Parents can look for the following signs that their teens feel unhappy:
- Social withdrawal
- A drop in school performance
- Negative patterns of behavior that are unusual
- Alcohol use
- Not smiling and laughing as often
- Making negative comments
- Angry outbursts
- Sleeping more often
- Not eating as much or eating a lot
- Sudden peer problems with other kids
Young people are at a higher risk of teen suicide, so assessing their behaviors early on and finding professional help can be important, even if it just seems like “sadness.”
What age group experiences the most stress?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) and systemic review studies, the age group that most experiences stress is young adults from 18 to 30. Teens may also experience stress but are less likely to face stressors that come from burnout in a workplace environment, as they may only work part-time or not at all. Stress can be dangerous, so talking to teens about stress early on may give them the coping skills to address this stress when they get older, which may reduce their risk of chronic illness.
Why are teens so stressed?
Teens experience significant stress because they have many pressures put on them to prepare for early adulthood, and adults often expect teens to organize multiple schedules. They must often juggle schoolwork, social life, puberty, changes in brain chemicals, and family conflict simultaneously, which can be difficult for someone who doesn’t have a fully formed frontal cortex. Some teens may be experiencing other challenges on top of regular life, such as emotional abuse at home, severe depression, or other mental health challenges. All of these factors can increase their stress.
Is depression normal in puberty?
Depression is not normal, as it is a mental illness. However, many teens do experience depression, affective disorders, and other mental illnesses because teens are subject to a significant amount of pressure. It is possible to treat depression in teens, and options like cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy may be especially effective. If a teen has suicidal thinking or has had suicide attempts, they may benefit from inpatient treatment. Puberty in itself does not necessarily cause depression but may worsen some symptoms
How can I help my daughter with her depression?
You can help your daughter by being present, attentive, and empathetic. If your daughter is a child or teen, you can help directly by getting her support from more than just a school counselor. These professionals can be helpful but often have heavy loads of students and can’t offer very personalized care. Therapy can be a helpful option for depression. If your child is not one to talk about their feelings, you might try a modality like art therapy or music therapy, which are more hands-on and can provide mental stimulation and support. It may also be helpful to get your child a physical exam with their doctor to rule out any physical causes of depression.
How do I know if my teenager needs counseling?
Teens may benefit from counseling in any situation, as being a teenager in itself can be stressful. However, if you’re worried about mental health causes, you might want to look for the following risk factors when deciding whether to enroll your child in therapy:
- They have been sad for more than two weeks (this is a sign of depression)
- They are acting unlike themselves
- They use alcohol or drugs
- They attempt suicide, call the suicide hotline, or talk about suicidal thoughts
- They are angry frequently
- Their behavior is suddenly extremely different
A therapist can also be helpful for parents who want to discuss how to better support their child through these challenges.
How do I stop my child from being depressed?
You can’t stop someone from developing depression, as it is a mental illness. Mental illnesses are as serious as physical illnesses and develop even when there is no reason for them to. People who are experiencing depression aren’t just sad or trying to be depressed. Often, depression changes the physical chemistry of the brain. To help your child through depression, you can get them into therapy and potentially talk to a psychiatrist about depression medication.
Is school the leading cause of depression?
Schools are not a direct cause of depression. However, what occurs at school can contribute to a child’s mood, such as not getting adequate support in academics, being bullied, or experiencing social challenges. Children who receive support at school from their counselor, teachers, and parents may be more likely to succeed. Children with depression may benefit from a 504 plan, which allows them reasonable accommodations with their schoolwork due to symptoms.
When should I worry about teens and depression?
Depression is always a risk, as depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and other complications. Worry about depression the moment you know it’s happening. Early intervention may make a positive change for your child and ensure they get the proper services in case of suicidal thoughts.
How do I know if I'm emotionally neglecting my child?
Emotional neglect is not meeting your child’s emotional needs to feel loved, cared for, and safe. Generally, being a present parent means asking about your child’s feelings, inserting yourself in their life, and being open about your own emotions. You can also be someone who they come to for support in hard times. However, even if your child isolates and doesn’t tell you about their feelings, you can make a change by continuing to be consistent in your love and not making harsh comments toward them. Offer them support through your actions, as well, by getting them professional help when they need it and noticing changes in their behavior.
Why are the teenage years so difficult?
The teenage years can be difficult because teenagers are going through puberty, which is a time of extreme change in the body. In addition to puberty, they have many expectations put on them to excel in academics, make friends, start relationships for the first time, and learn how to become an adult in the future. Teens face extreme stress and social challenges and are often also trying to grapple with independence for the first time, which leads to them isolating from their families, in some cases.
Why are my teens always in their room?
If your teen child is always in their room, it may be because they are starting to work through what it means to be independent. Be patient with them, and let them have some space. If they are struggling, you can continue to remind them of your love and support and help them find professional guidance. Sometimes, a teen won’t speak to their parents about what’s going on but will be more open to speaking to a therapist who is trained to get this information out of them to ensure their safety.
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