Seven Signs of Depression in Teens
Communicating with teenagers about their feelings can be incredibly difficult for many adults. It is hard to know what will trigger a moody response, and there are times when the teens themselves can’t even tell you why something sets them off. Changing hormones are tough to navigate for everyone.
While some things can be considered “normal growing pains”, certain behaviors are important to pay attention to. Teens may realize that something is not quite right, but even if they don’t, the adults in their lives need to acknowledge when there is a struggle and know when to get them help.
Keep reading for seven things to look for that might indicate depression in teens as well as what you can do.
Loss of interest in favorite activities
We all have times when we feel overwhelmed and need a break from our daily routine. I actually encourage this, especially in our often overscheduled lives. However, there is a difference between taking a break and no longer finding joy in the things that we used to love.
If you notice that a teen is dropping activities or friendships and not replacing them with something new, this could be cause for concern. Interests certainly can change, but they shouldn’t disappear completely.
Teens can be somewhat different in this area as well, because they may still hold on to some friendships to try and maintain some normalcy. I often hear from parents, “She/he seems to have fun when they are with their friends, so they can’t be depressed.” If something seems off, talk to your child about it and listen to what they say!
Constant feelings of anger or sadness
As I mentioned before, some moodiness in teens is normal due to hormonal changes and increasing stress and responsibilities. Most teens will experience moments of anger or sadness and then bounce back. When there isn’t a break in extreme emotions, that is something to look into.
While many adults experience extreme sadness when feeling depressed, it can be different for teens. Depression can also present itself as anger at this time in life, because of frustration. Anger is often thought of as a secondary emotion and because teens aren’t always good at identifying or expressing emotions, anything they are feeling may be expressed as anger.
Complaints of aches or sickness
I encourage parents to talk with a medical professional if their child is complaining of illness or pain. However, if after seeing a doctor, there is no explanation, it could point to depression.
The pain that they are experiencing can be very real but might be due to a chemical imbalance versus an injury. Consider discussing this possibility with your doctor as well.
Sudden decline in performance at school
It can be noticeable if a teenager is an A/B student and involved in clubs and activities but suddenly declines in many different areas. Depression can lead to a loss of motivation. This can cause teens to have trouble concentrating both in and out of school. It may even make it hard for them to get out of bed in the morning causing attendance issues.
Alcohol or substance use
Teens don’t always have the necessary tools for dealing with strong emotions. Instead of utilizing healthy coping strategies like exercise, journaling, or talking with an adult, they might turn to friends for ideas on how to escape the pain.
They may try using alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, which can become abuse and/or addiction. These can be separate issues, but often there is an underlying cause of substance abuse like depression or anxiety. A professional counselor can help address the underlying causes.
Change in sleep patterns
Sleep is a tricky one because most teens have crazy sleep schedules! They stay up late working on homework or playing video games and crash as soon as they get out of school. Weekends can be even crazier because you sometimes wonder when they will emerge from their room!
The key is to notice when it is bothering the teen, or if it interferes with other activities like school or extracurricular activities. If they complain of insomnia or sleep more than normal, then something else may be happening.
Signs of suicidal ideation
A teen won’t always come out and say if they are thinking about harming themselves, but they will often talk about it if asked directly. If you notice that they are preoccupied with thoughts of death, making comments about not being around or giving away prized possessions, it is critical that you talk with them.
Surprisingly, I have had quite a few parents tell me that they believe suicidal ideation is just an attempt at getting attention. I offer this to contemplate….maybe it is about needing more attention. That could be at the root of the depression they are feeling. The question then becomes, how far are you willing to let them go to get the attention they need?
When to Seek Help
Communication is key when it comes to teen depression. Do not be afraid to talk to them as a parent, educator, or other influential adult. It can be very effective to bluntly ask if they have considered harming themselves or someone else.
After an initial conversation, it may be helpful to talk to the family doctor or seek counseling services. This is imperative if the teen discloses any thoughts of harm to self or others. Feel free to contact me for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss the best way to help.
