Identifying Signs of Depression in Teens
Depression in teenagers is, as ever, a growing concern. According to data from 2023 highlighted by the American Psychiatric Association, 18% of adolescents aged 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode over the previous year (source). Understanding the signs of teenage depression is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators to seek or provide the necessary support or treatment.
In this article, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and physical signs of depression in teens in order to provide caregivers with a thorough understanding of its symptoms, as well as guidance on when it’s appropriate to seek professional help.
Understanding Depression in Teens
Let’s start with the basic definition of depression: depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Depression in teens may not look the same as in adults. Remember, teens are in a turbulent developmental stage during adolescence and experience different social pressures than adults, too. While depression might look like a pervasive sadness or emptiness in adults, teens often experience depression alongside emotional confusion and may show more irritability, mood swings, or behavioral changes compared to adults. They may also seem more withdrawn or isolated and combative, as well.
Apart from the factors like genetic disposition, depression in teens can also stem from environmental stressors, trauma, and social pressures, including but not limited to: academic stress, worries about the future, the prevalence of social media and its negative effects, and challenges with relationships. Depression in teens can result from a very complex web of these many factors, and during a very complex time in one’s life.
Emotional Signs of Depression in Teens
One of the key indicators of depression is a persistent and noticeable shift in emotions. Emotional signs may include:
Persistent sadness: Teens may feel an overwhelming sadness that they cannot explain. This is often more than just a temporary “bad mood” and can linger for weeks or even months.
Feelings of hopelessness: Feeling like things will never improve is a common symptom of depression. Teens may express or exhibit pessimism about the future, sometimes talking about how “things will never get better.”
Emotional withdrawal: A once-social teen may suddenly become distant and reserved, avoiding interactions with family or friends.
Mood swings and irritability: Teens may also experience depression as anger or frustration. This can result in frequent irritability or seemingly unprovoked anger.
These symptoms might feel alarming, but they are essential markers to recognize and monitor. If these behaviors persist, and especially in several of a teen’s environments (such as at home and at school), then consider initiating an open-minded, compassionate conversation with them about these emotions.
Behavioral Signs of Depression in Teens
Depression can also manifest in noticeable changes in a teen’s daily routine or . behavior. Some of the signs include:
Loss of interest: Depression often causes a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Teens may seem disinterested and withdraw from their usual activities like sports, hobbies, or social events.
Isolation: Many depressed teens pull away from social interactions, and take to spending more time alone. This may include refusing to engage in or outright avoiding family gatherings or outings with friends.
Changes in eating and sleeping habits: Some teens may start overeating or have a decreased appetite, leading to weight changes. Sleep patterns are also likely to be affected; teens experiencing depression might sleep excessively or struggle with insomnia.
Risky behavior: Engaging in risky activities can be a form of escapism for teens struggling with depression. They might turn to substance use, reckless driving, or other unsafe behaviors to cope with feelings they don’t understand.
It may be challenging for caregivers to witness these behavioral shifts, and in the moment it may feel tempting to scold or try to correct their behavior, but consider that they may be indicators of internal distress as well.
Physical Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Depression doesn’t just impact mood; it affects the body, too. Physical symptoms of depression can include:
Unexplained aches and pains: Teens might complain of headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pain without an apparent cause. These symptoms are often physical manifestations of emotional distress.
Low energy and fatigue: Persistent fatigue, even with adequate rest, can be a symptom of depression. Teenagers may lack motivation and feel exhausted by simple tasks.
Weight fluctuations: Noticeable weight loss or gain due to changes in appetite or energy levels may signal depression.
Physical symptoms can sometimes be overlooked or attributed to hormonal changes, but when combined with other signs, they can point toward depression.
Cognitive and Academic Signs
Depression can interfere with a teenager’s ability to think clearly and focus. Watch for signs such as:
Difficulty concentrating: Depressed teens may struggle to focus or feel motivated, affecting their ability to complete schoolwork (and leading to a drop in their grades) or other responsibilities, both at home and at school.
Indecisiveness: They might have trouble making even simple decisions, which can lead to further feelings of frustration.
Absenteeism: Lack of motivation may also spur teens to skip school, also contributing to decline in academic performance.
Academic struggles can sometimes be misinterpreted as laziness or lack of discipline. However, recognizing the potential link to struggling with mental health means that, as with the other signs we’ve discussed so far, it’s important to approach or express concerns with compassion and openness.
What Parents and Caregivers Can Do
Seeing a child struggle with depression can be incredibly difficult for those around them, particularly for caregivers, but especially for the teenager themself. Responding to or offering help is an important step in the process of improving a teenager’s mental wellbeing, but it’s important to approach the matter in a supportive way.
Supporting a teen with depression starts with creating a safe and open environment. Here are some actionable steps that caregivers should take when doing so:
Encourage open communication: Approach your teen calmly and express concern. Let them know you’re there to listen and support. When expressing your own concerns, try to use “I” statements to avoid placing blame. It can be as simple as saying, “I’ve noticed that you haven’t been finishing your dinner lately,” instead of “You haven’t been finishing your food lately.” When asking questions, avoid yes or no questions and keep them open-ended: “Can you tell me what’s been bothering you lately?”
Practice active listening: When listening to your teenager’s responses, refrain from interrupting or trying to immediately offer solutions. Repeating what they’ve said back to them can also help convey that you’re listening and understanding their point of view. For example, saying: “It sounds like you’ve been feeling hopeless or that things won’t get better.”
Avoid criticism, judgment, or minimization: Remarks that feel judgmental or that minimize how a teenager is feeling imparts a lack of empathy and may lead to them feeling misunderstood, distrustful, or lead them to pull away even further. Refrain from saying things like: “It can’t be that bad.”
Encourage and Model Positive Coping: Collaborate with your teenager on other coping strategies that may work best for them. Remember, teens often mimic behaviors they observe in their caregivers, too, so it’s important to also demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms for stress and negative feelings, like mindfulness techniques, practicing self-care, engaging in physical exercise, and participating in hobbies.
Check in regularly: Establish a routine for regular check-ins with your teenager to give them a steady outlet to be heard and supported, preferably in a one-on-one setting to strengthen your relationship and show that their individual needs and feelings are valued.
Parental support can make a significant difference in helping teens feel understood and cared for, creating a foundation of trust that encourages openness and fosters family connection. It’s important to help teenagers understand that what they’re feeling isn’t wrong, and that they don’t have to be alone in coping with their feelings.
When to Seek Professional Help
There may come a time when it becomes necessary to seek professional help for a teenager with depression. At a time like this, it’s important to give your child and yourself some grace; there’s nothing wrong with needing additional support, and taking this step isn’t a sign of failure on anyone’s part, but a positive step towards better mental wellbeing.
Some signs that suggest it’s time for professional help include:
Thoughts of self-harm: If a teen expresses or hints at self-harm or suicidal thoughts, or exhibits behaviors suggesting suicidal ideation, then immediate intervention is necessary. Remember to create a safe, open, compassionate environment when approaching a teenager in such a situation, as discussed in the previous section.
Intense and prolonged symptoms: When symptoms become severe, such as complete withdrawal from activities, excessive sleeping, or drastic changes in behavior, consider consulting with a mental health professional.
Noticeable difficulties in two or more areas: Also consider if your teenager is struggling with any of the signs or behaviors previously discussed in more than two areas of their life. For example, if they are experiencing difficulties with functioning or coping with emotions both while at home and at school, or at home and at extracurricular activities, or with both family and friends, and so forth.
Caregivers can seek professional mental health support for their teenagers through (including but not limited to): their school counselor, local support groups, after-school programs, and therapists and counselors who specialize in working with adolescents, both in-person and through virtual therapy, depending on your teenager’s needs.
Conclusion
Recognizing the signs of depression in teenagers is important for caregivers to ensure their mental health and well-being. Emotional changes, such as persistent sadness or irritability, along with behavioral shifts like withdrawal from activities and friends, can serve as early indicators of depression. Physical symptoms, that include changes in sleep or appetite, and cognitive challenges, like difficulty focusing or absenteeism from school, can indicate further need for attention and support, as well. Early intervention and supportive care play a crucial role in addressing teenagers’ mental health needs and helping them navigate through difficult times, potentially preventing long-term mental health issues.
Stay informed, engaged, and proactive in your teen’s mental health journey. Maintaining open lines of communication, observing drastic shifts, and knowing when to seek professional help are all essential components of fostering a supportive environment. By being attentive and responsive, caregivers can offer the compassion and guidance teens need to manage depression and build resilience for a healthier future.
