Why Do Teens Become Depressed?

Teens can be moody and sometimes get depressed. When depression symptoms interfere with daily activities, an evaluation should be done by a mental health professional. Undiagnosed depression in teens often leads to a teen abusing drugs or alcohol, failing or dropping out of school, and destroying relationships with their friends.

Symptoms

• A teen who complains of frequent headaches and withdraws from family and friends may be suffering from depression. Changes in school performance, lack of personal hygiene and reckless behavior may also be signs of depression.

Considerations

• A stressful home environment or the death or loss of a loved one can trigger depression in a teen. A teen who suffers from an attention, learning or conduct disorder is also at a higher risk of becoming depressed.

Substance use

• Often, a teen who is suffering from depression will turn to the use of illegal drugs or alcohol in an attempt to get relief from depression.

Risks

• Teens who have a history of previous suicide attempts are at greater risk of having depression. Teens who have a family history of depression, substance abuse or mental illness also are at a greater risk.

Antidepressant warnings

• The risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in teens who are taking antidepressants is greatest in the first two months of beginning treatment. Teens should be monitored by their doctor once a week for the first four weeks and every two weeks for the next month, according to the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for antidepressant use.