Signs of Teenage Depression

It's not always easy to tell if your teen's behavior is typical or indicates signs of teenage depression. Teenagers go through many mood and personality changes during adolescence. You may be confused about what is going on with your son or daughter. Knowing if your teen has a problem involves paying close attention to the symptoms your teen exhibits and how long they last.

Is your adolescent depressed?

Teenage depression manifests itself differently than in adult depression. Since teens have such a different life from adults, they have different ways of expressing their inner turmoil. Professionals consider the following symptoms and their duration (at least two weeks) to determine if a teenager suffers from depression.

• Irritability and anger

Many adolescents are irritable and angry during this time in their life. Hormonal changes and a desire to become independent from parents can make adolescents act out in many ways. There may be a problem when teens don't seem to move on from the hostility they express.

• Intense sadness, crying, feelings of hopelessness

Does your son or daughter walk through life visibly unhappy? A depressed teen will not be able to put on a happy face to please others and may have uncontrollable crying.

• Feelings of guilt and low self esteem

Many adolescents have self-image issues. However, it's important to monitor if these feelings turn from normal teen awkwardness into feelings of worthlessness. Depressed teenagers will also feel guilty for many things in their life that are either not their fault or uncontrollable, making them feel even worse about themselves.

• Isolation from family and friends

It is important to know that not all teens will withdraw from friends and family. Some will gravitate towards negative peer groups and rebel against their parents.

• Agitation, restlessness and difficulty concentrating

Are you wondering if your teenager may have a behavioral disorder such as Attention Deficit Disorder because of these symptoms? If you find that he or she is experiencing this symptom along with others on this list, depression may be the real culprit of your teen's behavior.

• Uninterested in previously enjoyable activities

A depressed adolescent will start to lose interest and motivation to do the things he or she used to enjoy. This process may happen slowly, so you may not notice he or she is losing enthusiasm for life's pleasures until you notice your son or daughter hardly finds anything worth doing.

• Sleep and eating changes

Emotional issues and anxiety commonly associated with depression can keep adolescents from sleeping or cause them to sleep too much. It can also leave a teenager feeling fatigued with a loss of energy. Eating habits also can change such as overeating or not eating much at all.

• Substance use

To mask the feelings, emotions and thoughts an adolescent experiences, the adolescent may start using drugs or alcohol to cope.

• Decrease in grades

An adolescent may start skipping classes and doing poorly on schoolwork.

• Aches and pains

Your son or daughter may often complain of physical ailments such as headaches and stomachaches.

• Suicidal ideation

Suicide seems like the best way out of this grief for some adolescents. Do not think your teen is just seeking attention if he or she mentions anything about dying.

• Self-mutilation

Self-mutilation is the act of harming oneself by hitting or cutting. Individuals who experience this symptom do it to release emotional tension through physical pain. If you find unexplained cuts or bruises on your son or daughter, it is a strong sign something is seriously bothering him or her. It is important that your teen receives help for this because while most will not hurt themselves enough to result in death, a person can inadvertently commit suicide.

When looking for signs of depression in teenagers. it is also important to know the signs of suicide for teens. Many adolescents suffer through depression unnoticed because either they do not want to confide in an adult or the adult they do tell thinks they are overreacting or seeking attention. This makes a teen feel hopeless that he or she will never be able to feel better about life, leading to thoughts of suicide.

Here are some more warning signs of suicide:

• Giving away possessions, they once treasured
• Telling people goodbye like they will never see them again
• Begin reading and talking about death or suicide
• Having thoughts and talking about how people around them will be much happier if they were dead
• Buying weapons or seeking out prescription medications for overdose
• Engaging in risky behavior that could result in death

If you believe your teenager is suffering from depression, you must take action now. First, talk to your son or daughter about some of the behaviors he or she exhibits and feelings experienced. Suggest that maybe he or she is suffering from depression. Your teen may deny it and it's best to let him or her think it over. After some time, confront your son or daughter again and suggest that he or she talk to someone professionally about it. Keep an eye out for signs of teenage depression, especially if your child seems resistant to treatment. If your son or daughter exhibits the signs of suicide, you may have to take further action by contacting emergency services.

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