Identifying Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Depression is one of the most common mental health diagnoses that impact individuals of all ages. Teens are no exception. In fact, a recent Pew Research study noted that 13% of teens in the US had experienced at least one episode of major depression in the last year, which is a significant increase from the previous study reports (1).
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression, however, can be a bit more difficult when considering depression in teens. Today we will take the time to explore depression in the teenage years, with the hope of equipping parents, educators, and those who love and care for teenagers with the tools and knowledge to support teens through these tumultuous years and identify signs of depression, so that appropriate treatment can be sought.
What is depression?
Depression is a type of mood disorder that includes symptoms of sadness, loss of interest in activities, negative thought processes, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and a general lack of enjoyment in life. It can also include things like difficulty, concentrating or retaining information, feelings of worthlessness, changes in appetite, changes in sleeping patterns, and other physical concerns (2).
So why is depression challenging to identify in teens?
This is where things get a bit trickier. Most people who have worked with teenagers, or been a teen at one point in their life, can identify that the teenage years are very associated with mood changes, trying different activities, school-related challenges, navigating peer relationships, and social dynamics, and generally figuring out what life is like, as teenagers gain a bit more independence and ability to choose. And at various points during most teenage years, it’s pretty common to see some changes in mood, apathy around school completion, high highs, and low lows, and changes in sleeping and eating habits as teens transition through various phases of puberty.
So how can parents, educators, and those who care about teens navigate the difference between “normal“ teenage challenges and depression?
Here are a few tips and tricks to look for when, considering if a tenant that you care about may be struggling with depression, rather than the normal teenage ups and downs :
Look for trends, that stick around: we all have bad days, sad moments, conflicts with peers, disappointment, and other challenging feelings. That is just a part of being a human. But in most cases, bad days, sad moments, peer conflicts, and disappointments are able to move through our bodies and brains in a relatively short time. So if some of these negative feelings, associated with depression, starts lingering for more than a week, more than a full length of the social conflict, more than the hormonal fluctuation, that might be something to note and ask more about.
Look for major changes: everybody has a bad day or a forgetful moment, but have you seen trends that are significantly out of the norm compared to the behaviors and practices that were normal for your team in the past? For example, has school attendance drastically plummeted? Has the rate of forgetfulness around assignments drastically changed? is your team sleeping significantly more or less hours than previously? Is your team eating significantly more or less than previously? General fluctuations will happen for anyone, but significant or drastic changes should definitely be noted and discussed.
Always get help or assistance for self-harm or suicidal thoughts: As a Mental, Health, therapist, and therapist for teens, it is important to note that any teen who exhibits strong thoughts of suicidal ideation or urges to hurt themselves, or another, should always be equipped with the support of a helping professional for appropriate evaluation and support for these types of thoughts and feelings.
If you or your teen are interested in working with a trained teen therapist or need support for depression therapy, our team would love to help. We are passionate about equipping teens with these skills for the lifelong management of mental health needs. Whether through online therapy services or in person at our Arlington, Texas-based therapy group, we would love to support you and your family toward your health and wellness goals.
