Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or frustration in teens are indicators of depression, which can disrupt an adolescent’s daily functioning, relations, and performance. Teens with depression may experience extremely low motivation or difficulty getting through the day.
Over 3 million children between12 and 17 years old struggle with periods of major depression. But it’s easy to confuse most symptoms of depression with changes that adolescents undergo during puberty. Knowing what to look out for and addressing these signs early on can increase the chances of long-term recovery. If your teen’s depression is at its onset, early intervention can also prevent further progression.
This article will help parents, caregivers, and educators identify major signs of depression in adolescents. If a teenager shows worrying or harmful behavior, contact our team of adolescent clinical experts atNexStep Teen Academyfor help.
Emotional and Behavioral Signs of Depression
1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability
Sadness is a primary emotion among many people. When teens experience these feelings, they may develop a sense of vulnerability or loss of control, which can be uncomfortable. Some teens become irritable or moody in unconscious attempts to deal with their primary emotions.
Adolescents with major depression may also exhibit anhedonia. This symptom is characterized by the loss of interest or the inability to feel pleasure in engaging in activities that used to be fun. As a result, teens may withdraw from family, friends, and social situations.
Differentiating a teen’s typical moodiness from persistent sadness can be challenging. Here’s what you need to know:
Typical moodiness doesn’t last long and is often realistic for the event or circumstance that caused it.
Persistent sadness may last a few weeks to a year and is usually unrealistic for the event or circumstance that caused it.
2. Withdrawal from Social Activities
Teens may withdraw from family or friends during puberty as they try to establish separate identities. Depressed teens may completely cut themselves off from their social circles due to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Their irritability may also make them sensitive to interactions, worsening their isolation.
The following signs indicate a possible connection between your teen’s isolation and depression:
Intentional, repeated avoidance of activities that they used to enjoy.
Withdrawal from emotional connections with loved ones.
Sudden and persistent disinterest in school-related activities.
Sudden or gradual decrease in classroom activity participation.
Spending more time alone.
Since isolation reduces or diminishes social interactions, withdrawn teens often lack encouragement from loved ones and risk developing unhealthy habits. Loneliness arising from isolation can also increase stress and affect sleep quality, which may harm the body.
Depression can also lower concentration, affecting a teen’s engagement in class. They may lose motivation in classroom activities or subjects they used to love. When they notice their struggles making friends, learning, or completing assignments,teens may skip classes or abstain from school.
Watch out for signs of “brain fog” in your teen. Depression can cause reduced cognitive functions in memory, decision-making, and focus. As a result, adolescents may feel mentally “blocked” and unable to think clearly.
Physical and Somatic Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Research suggests a connection betweendepression and physical health. It indicates that an imbalance in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms and physical pain. Adolescents may complain of ailments such as:
Headaches.
Joint or back pain.
Gastrointestinal issues.
On the surface, these conditions may not indicate a mental illness. If a physician finds no underlying medical cause after examination, it may be time to consider the possibility of depression. Other common physical symptoms ofteen depressioninclude:
Constant fatigue.
Sleep disturbances.
Appetite changes.
Restlessness or agitation.
Slowed speech or movement.
Brain imaging studies suggest that problems in certain brain areas could cause unexplained painful physical symptoms. Habits such as catastrophizing or always expecting the worst can also contribute to depression and chronic pain. The following unexplained aches and pains are potential signs of depression:
Widespread muscle pain and tenderness.
Stomach cramps, bloating, or changes in bowel habits.
Headaches with tightness around the head.
Recognizing Risk Factors for Depression in Teens
The common risk factors for depression in teens include:
Family history and genetics: People with relatives who have depression are two to three times more likely to develop the condition.
Trauma: People with a history of abuse or childhood trauma are at a greater risk.
Bullying: Forms of bullying, like cyberbullying or body shaming, can lower self-esteem and cause sadness.
Substance use: Individuals who use substances are likely to develop substance-induced depression.
Most teens spend a lot of time on social media without realizing that it can cause or worsen depression. Here’s how:
Photos by celebrities or influencers can contribute to a negative body image and lower self-esteem.
Cyberbullying can increase feelings of sadness and loneliness.
Negative peer pressure can also result in feelings of inadequacy, isolation, or the development of low self-esteem, increasing the risks of depression.
Factors like academic pressure or family issues can cause stress among teens. Chronic stress can lead to the release of excess “stress hormones,” increasing vulnerability to depression.
When to Seek Professional Help
Adolescence is a major developmental phase marked with excitement and stress. You may notice mood swings, impulsiveness, or rebellion, which are all expected. But the following symptoms can indicate teen depression:
Immense, persistent sadness.
Sudden disinterest in activities they used to enjoy.
Sudden and constant social avoidance or withdrawal.
Intense, frequent irritability.
Early identification and treatment of depression can increase the chances of long-term recovery.Teen mental health professionals, like psychologists or psychiatrists, can diagnose and suggest treatment options for depression. Seek support as soon as possible to give your child a chance at better mental health.
Treatment for teens with depression can involve the following:
Psychotherapy for teens with mild depression. If symptoms persist beyond six to eight weeks, your child’s primary care doctor or psychiatrist may recommend medication.
Combination therapy for teens with moderate to severe depression. It incorporates psychotherapy and medication.
Teen Mental Health Treatment at NexStep Teen Academy
Key indicators of depression in teens include persistent sadness or irritability, social isolation, and a drop in academic performance. Our team at NexStep Teen Academy can help identify other behaviors or attitudes that alter normal teen functioning or interaction. We can also guide you to create open lines of communication at home or school to help an adolescent by:
Fostering an environment of free, non-judgmental expression.
Letting them know they have someone they can trust to talk to about their challenges.
Making them feel understood and acknowledged.
Adolescents with depression recover with the right help. Early intervention makes this recovery possible and prevents further progression of depression. At NexStep Teen Academy, we are devoted to supporting your child’s treatment and recovery. Start your journey with us today.
Signs of Depression in Teens
Table of Contents
Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or frustration in teens are indicators of depression, which can disrupt an adolescent’s daily functioning, relations, and performance. Teens with depression may experience extremely low motivation or difficulty getting through the day.
Over 3 million children between 12 and 17 years old struggle with periods of major depression. But it’s easy to confuse most symptoms of depression with changes that adolescents undergo during puberty. Knowing what to look out for and addressing these signs early on can increase the chances of long-term recovery. If your teen’s depression is at its onset, early intervention can also prevent further progression.
This article will help parents, caregivers, and educators identify major signs of depression in adolescents. If a teenager shows worrying or harmful behavior, contact our team of adolescent clinical experts at NexStep Teen Academy for help.
Emotional and Behavioral Signs of Depression
1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability
Sadness is a primary emotion among many people. When teens experience these feelings, they may develop a sense of vulnerability or loss of control, which can be uncomfortable. Some teens become irritable or moody in unconscious attempts to deal with their primary emotions.
Adolescents with major depression may also exhibit anhedonia. This symptom is characterized by the loss of interest or the inability to feel pleasure in engaging in activities that used to be fun. As a result, teens may withdraw from family, friends, and social situations.
Differentiating a teen’s typical moodiness from persistent sadness can be challenging. Here’s what you need to know:
2. Withdrawal from Social Activities
Teens may withdraw from family or friends during puberty as they try to establish separate identities. Depressed teens may completely cut themselves off from their social circles due to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Their irritability may also make them sensitive to interactions, worsening their isolation.
The following signs indicate a possible connection between your teen’s isolation and depression:
Since isolation reduces or diminishes social interactions, withdrawn teens often lack encouragement from loved ones and risk developing unhealthy habits. Loneliness arising from isolation can also increase stress and affect sleep quality, which may harm the body.
3. Decreased Academic Performance
Depression could be causing a drop in your teen’s academic performance. A study suggests that adolescents with depression may struggle with paying attention or completing assignments.
Depression can also lower concentration, affecting a teen’s engagement in class. They may lose motivation in classroom activities or subjects they used to love. When they notice their struggles making friends, learning, or completing assignments, teens may skip classes or abstain from school.
Watch out for signs of “brain fog” in your teen. Depression can cause reduced cognitive functions in memory, decision-making, and focus. As a result, adolescents may feel mentally “blocked” and unable to think clearly.
Physical and Somatic Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Research suggests a connection between depression and physical health. It indicates that an imbalance in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms and physical pain. Adolescents may complain of ailments such as:
On the surface, these conditions may not indicate a mental illness. If a physician finds no underlying medical cause after examination, it may be time to consider the possibility of depression. Other common physical symptoms of teen depression include:
Brain imaging studies suggest that problems in certain brain areas could cause unexplained painful physical symptoms. Habits such as catastrophizing or always expecting the worst can also contribute to depression and chronic pain. The following unexplained aches and pains are potential signs of depression:
Recognizing Risk Factors for Depression in Teens
The common risk factors for depression in teens include:
Most teens spend a lot of time on social media without realizing that it can cause or worsen depression. Here’s how:
Negative peer pressure can also result in feelings of inadequacy, isolation, or the development of low self-esteem, increasing the risks of depression.
Factors like academic pressure or family issues can cause stress among teens. Chronic stress can lead to the release of excess “stress hormones,” increasing vulnerability to depression.
When to Seek Professional Help
Adolescence is a major developmental phase marked with excitement and stress. You may notice mood swings, impulsiveness, or rebellion, which are all expected. But the following symptoms can indicate teen depression:
Early identification and treatment of depression can increase the chances of long-term recovery. Teen mental health professionals, like psychologists or psychiatrists, can diagnose and suggest treatment options for depression. Seek support as soon as possible to give your child a chance at better mental health.
Treatment for teens with depression can involve the following:
Teen Mental Health Treatment at NexStep Teen Academy
Key indicators of depression in teens include persistent sadness or irritability, social isolation, and a drop in academic performance. Our team at NexStep Teen Academy can help identify other behaviors or attitudes that alter normal teen functioning or interaction. We can also guide you to create open lines of communication at home or school to help an adolescent by:
Adolescents with depression recover with the right help. Early intervention makes this recovery possible and prevents further progression of depression. At NexStep Teen Academy, we are devoted to supporting your child’s treatment and recovery. Start your journey with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Parents can support a teen who may be struggling with depression by:
Parents should seek professional help for their teen’s depression as soon as they identify warning signs.
The long-term effects of untreated depression in teens include: