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Signs & Symptoms of Clinical Depression in Teens

About 20 percent of teenagers suffer from clinical depression, according to a study by UCLA psychology professor Constance Hammen. Depression can have a negative effect on a teen's thoughts, feeling, actions and health in general.

  1. Long-Term Changes

    • While it is typical and almost expected for teenagers to act different from their previous selves, teens experiencing depression often display long-term changes in mood and behavior for the worst.

    Unexplained Discomfort

    • Headaches and stomach aches are common complaints of teens with depression. These physical ailments may be attributed to depression if a physical exam does not reveal a legitimate other medical explanation.

    Irritability

    • As opposed to the sadness that is dominant in adult depression, teens are typically in irritable and angry when depressed.

    Eating and Sleeping

    • Many teens experience a change in their eating and sleeping habits when going through stages of depression. Both extremes are reachable, depending on the individual. Many teens will eat and sleep too much, and others will lose their appetite and struggle to get enough sleep.

    Suicidal Thoughts

    • Teens having thoughts about suicide or just disliking their life in general could be diagnosed with clinical depression. Many teens who are seriously contemplating suicide often joke about ending their life or wishing they were never alive. If you know anyone having thoughts about suicide, do not take it lightly and seek immediate help.

    Treatment

    • Clinical depression is a serious mental illness that needs to be treated immediately. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms listed, seek immediate help from a counselor or psychiatrist.

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