Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents

According to the University of Michigan Depression Center, 4.7 percent of teenagers suffer from depression. Girls are more likely to suffer from depression because of hormonal changes from puberty and menstruation and sexual issues. However, all teenagers are susceptible to depression, possibly because of family and school issues, bullying, and sexual-identity issues.

Emotional Symptoms

• When you think about someone who is depressed, do you think of someone who lies in bed and cries all day? You could be right. However, depression can manifest in teenagers in a different way from adults. Many adolescents who suffer from depression become irritable and angry, possibly leading to arguments or fights regularly. Teenagers who say they are angry or sad most of the time might be suffering from depression. For someone to be diagnosed with depression, he usually feels hopeless and doesn't see an end to the debilitating feelings.

Puberty

• When teenagers go through puberty, they suffer hormonal changes and different body shapes, which can increase the risk of depression. Adolescents who are teased because of body changes, such as the increase or lack thereof in breast size, can become depressed. Being teased regularly can lead to sadness, anger and isolation.

Symptoms in School

• There are three types of students to consider when looking for signs of depression in schools. The first type of student always sits alone, isolates herself and appears sad. The second type is someone who starts fights with peers regularly, argues with teachers, gets suspended and brings weapons to school. The third type is someone who suddenly stops attending school, starts failing classes and stops turning in homework, indicating possible problems at home.

Signs at Home

• Parents are the best resource at home to observe depression. If the teenager stays in bed for abnormally long periods of time, cries regularly or stops attending school, he could be suffering from major depression. Teenagers who stop eating with their parents, stop talking about positive things and quit participating in outside activities, such as sports, might be depressed. It's normal for teenagers to be moody, sad sometimes and mad once in a while, but if it starts to interfere with family, school and outside activities, it becomes serious. Many adolescents who suffer from depression gain or lose a significant amount of weight, have changes in their eating patterns and sleep too little or too much.

Social Symptoms

• An adolescent with depression generally isolates herself from peers. She might stop spending time with friends during the weekend or stay after school to hang out in an empty area. She might refuse phone calls and say she wants to be left alone.

Suicide and Self-Mutilation

• One of the most disturbing signs of major depression in adolescents is self-mutilation, which can lead to suicide. If a teenager is wearing long sleeves in the summer, start asking questions immediately. This is a clear sign that the adolescent might be cutting himself and trying to cover it up. Signs of suicide include jokes about suicide, giving away prized possessions, talking about death, saying goodbye to loved ones and engaging in risky behavior. Teenagers who are drinking large amounts of alcohol, getting into violent fights or driving cars at dangerous speeds might be suicidal.