8 Possible Signs of Depression in Teens

Depression is an illness that can severely impact people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. Teens can be affected by depression as much as anyone else.

The Challenge of Depression in Teens

Depression is sometimes misunderstood, but there is greater awareness about what it is and how it impacts people. Sadness is usually one of the main things that people associate with depression, but depression is more than just a sense of sadness. In some cases, depression manifests with other symptoms, and it’s easy to miss if you’re only looking out for sadness.

In addition to recognizing that depression is about more than feelings of sadness, it’s also important to note that it is a mood disorder. Mood disorders affect how a person acts, feels, thinks, and relates to themselves and others. Depression dysregulates how you normally function and operate, making it harder to do everyday tasks. It’s not something that will simply pass with time or that you can power through.

Teens can be affected by depression as much as any other age group. Adolescence is a pivotal life stage during which a person develops into the adult they will become, marked by numerous significant changes. These changes are emotional, physical, mental, and social. A teen is discovering who they are, testing the limits of their identity, all while dealing with hormonal changes and everyday life.

While depression can be challenging for a teen’s well-being, one of the difficulties for parents and caregivers is discerning between typical teenage angst and moodiness, on the one hand, and the signs of depression on the other. Quick identification of depression means making earlier interventions. This helps in addressing the depression, restoring daily functioning, and relieving their distress. Being informed will help loved ones identify depression in teens.

Discerning the Signs of Depression in Teens

When it comes to depression in teens, one of the key things is to pay attention to the duration and persistence of symptoms. Typically, identifying depression will entail seeing most of the following symptoms for at least two weeks. Keep a lookout for these symptoms, but take your teen to a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to their circumstances.

When a teen is depressed, that may manifest in ways that are different from an adult. In one sense, that’s to be expected, as teens are developmentally at a different stage of life. It also makes sense because people are different, and how they process their experiences won’t necessarily look the same. Sadness may be one sign of depression, but it may also simply be a normal part of growing up.

Some signs of depression in teens to look out for include:

Persistent sadness or irritability Unlike typical mood swings that a teen might experience, a depressed teen will often exhibit prolonged periods of sadness or irritability that don’t fluctuate or pass easily.

Withdrawal from cherished activities Another sign to watch for is a loss of interest in hobbies, sports, school, or social activities that they once enjoyed. They might withdraw from these and other people, including their family. A teen may also overlook things like their self-care and basic grooming as a result of depression.

Changes in sleep patterns Depression dysregulates a person’s normal functions, and that includes sleep. These sleep disturbances may look like insomnia or excessive sleeping that goes beyond normal teenage habits.

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt When a teen expresses hopelessness, engages in ongoing self-criticism, or feels guilty and like they are a burden, that could be a sign of depression.

Appetite and weight changes Another sign is when the teen experiences noticeable and unplanned weight loss or gain, or changes in their eating habits. It should be said that an eating disorder may also have the same impact, and that’s a reason to consult a medical professional to ferret out the causes of these changes.

Declining academic performance Depression may also result in cognitive difficulties like struggling to concentrate, remember things, or stay motivated on a task. One outcome of this is that a teen’s grades may slip below their usual standard.

Physical complaints Depression may also result in complaints such as frequent headaches, stomach aches, or other unexplained physical issues that don’t seem to respond to their typical treatments.

Thoughts of death or suicide Depression may also be the issue if your teen makes any mention of or engages in self-harm, or if they express suicidal thoughts. These require immediate attention and ought to be taken seriously.

How can you distinguish depression from regular moodiness in your teen? A teen might be moody, and that could be attributed to the messiness of working through their own identity, or the hormonal changes that time of life brings about. However, depression is more severe and persistent than moodiness.

Depression lasts for weeks or even longer, but moodiness tends to be short-lived and lifts with changing circumstances. Depression also involves intense emotions such as despair or hopelessness. The intensity is part of what contributes to why depression interferes with basic things of daily life, like school, self-care, and relationships.

Why might a teenager become depressed?

While it’s hard to definitively state what causes depression in individuals, several factors could be at the root of why a teen gets depressed. Some of these factors would include a teen experiencing environmental stressors like carrying a lot of pressure at school, the loss of a loved one, dealing with fraught family relations, or experiencing bullying in person or online.

Other potential factors include a teen having a genetic predisposition to depression. If there is a family history of depression, that can increase a teen’s risk of getting depressed. Experiencing chronic illness or having a hormonal imbalance may also contribute to depression. Trauma, abuse, or neglect are also possible factors that lead to depression in teens.

How to Support a Depressed Teenager

When a teen is experiencing depression, they may be more “difficult” than normal. That can strain relationships in the family. Instead of pulling away, which can further isolate the teen and make them feel disconnected from their support network, it’s important to rally around them even more.

As a family or as part of their emotional support network, it’s important to affirm their worth, reminding them of how they are cherished. Being patient is also a must, as healing takes time. Along with patience, providing consistent encouragement and celebrating every victory, including the small ones, makes a difference. Engage in activities together and create a space where open communication can happen.

Having structure and clear routines can help to establish healthy patterns that don’t tax the heart and mind that may already feel stretched. A balanced daily routine that takes into account time to rest, study, enjoy recreation, and regular exercise will help support the well-being of your teen.

Recognizing and addressing depression in your teen can guide them toward healing and hope. You should not hesitate to seek professional help, as there are many effective treatment options available. A Christian counselor or therapist who specializes in depression can help your family and your teen walk through this difficult season. They will effectively integrate therapeutic techniques with the wisdom from the Christian faith.

Part of your teen’s treatment plan may include talk therapy, which helps them identify and replace unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior that can worsen depression. It replaces them with healthier patterns. Apart from making lifestyle changes that support well-being, your teen can also learn coping and problem-solving skills. In some instances, medication may be necessary to deal with the symptoms of depression.

You can support your teen by helping them attend their counseling sessions, sticking to the medication they’ve been prescribed, and implementing any life changes that will promote their well-being. Healing and recovery from depression is possible. If you are in need of a therapist, reach out to our offices today. We will make an appointment for you with one of the counselors in our practice.