The Signs of Teen Depression

It is not always easy to diagnose teen depression. The adolescent period is filled with mood swings, irrational thinking and illogical behavior. When should you be concerned? How can you tell if your teen is just going through normal teenage mood instability or something more severe? Knowing the signs and symptoms of depression can help you decide if there is reason to be concerned.

Emotional Signs

• Depression is often expressed differently in teens than it is in adults. Although teens may express sadness, irritable moods are often the first sign of depression. An irritable, sad or angry mood that lasts two weeks or longer may indicate depression. A teen may express feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. She may convey decreased self-esteem or describe feeling numb. If a teen voices suicidal thoughts or the desire to "end it all," seek professional help immediately.

Physical Signs

• Depression can be indicated by several physical signs. Changes in appetite and significant weight fluctuations may be cause for concern. Eating a lot, eating very little or not eating at all could signal depression. Sleep disturbances may also present themselves. A normally active teen who begins sleeping all the time or a teen who stays up all night may be dealing with depression. Frequent headaches or stomachaches or other unexplained physical ailments should be checked by a physician to rule out depression.

Behavioral Signs

• Notice if your teen begins to isolate himself or loses interest in previously enjoyed activities. Teens who engage in high-risk behavior such as alcohol or drug use or risky sex may be expressing difficulty dealing with depression. Any signs that a teen has intentionally harmed himself should be cause for seeking immediate help; cutting or other self-mutilation is often a warning sign that a teen is depressed.

Warnings

• Many teens will talk about their depression or unhappy life to friends; however, other adolescents may not take them seriously. Although depression is not always indicated by music choices or "dark" writings or art, this may be cause for concern. Many teens will begin listening to music about violence or dying, while others may write poems, post to the Internet or draw intense images that represent their unhappiness.

Seek Help

• If you recognize any signs of depression or have concerns that your teen is suffering from depression, seek help immediately. Many teenagers may not come right out and say they are depressed---or even realize that they are---so recognizing these signs and seeking professional help may be what your teen needs to finally share her concerns, anxieties and fears.