Today I’m sharing a guest post from Katherine on a very poignant, important topic – teenage depression. Here she shares her thoughts on the symptoms and warning signs parents need to be aware of.
Teen Depression Symptoms & Warning Signs: A Guide for Parents
According to research compiled by Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, depression âaffects about 20 percent of adolescents by the time they become adults.â Depression is a debilitating condition that represents much more than ordinary sadness. When a teenager is experiencing major depressive disorder, living their best life becomes much more difficult.
Over there past few years, teen depression has gotten notably more attention from mental health professionals. However, there is still a lot more research and work that needs to be done. Even if you are not a professional researcher, as a parent, you can make a major difference in your teenagerâs lives.
If your teen appears to be suffering from depression, the first thing you will need to do is get a diagnosis from a physician. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important things for parents to know about depression. Though coping with this difficult mental health condition will be an uphill battle, it is certainly a fight worth fighting.
What are the signs and symptoms of teenage depression?
Depression (formally known as Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD) is a condition that can often be difficult to identify and diagnose. Depression is characterized by a consistently low mood, a negative outlook on life, and difficulties completing ordinary tasks.
Diagnosing depression in teenagers is especially challenging. Many teenagers will exhibit signs of angst or the desire to be alone, but this does not always mean they are depressed. Depression is much deeper than âtypicalâ teenage behavior. Changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping habits, and patterns of self-harm are often associated with depression.
Teenagers who are depressed will experience a loss of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. They may also begin developing an especially negative worldview and begin consistently talking about death. Often times, the emotions exhibited by teens who are depressed will have no clear connection to the world around them. Losing interest in things they once enjoyed is particularly common.
How do I know if my teenager is depressed?
Unless you are a licensed physician, you alone cannot diagnose depression. The signs and symptoms of depression have strong overlaps with other conditions (bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance abuse disorders), meaning that a proper diagnose will require a nuanced approach.
If your teen has been exhibiting the signs and symptoms mentioned above, you should schedule an appointment with a teen psychologist. The psychologist will be able to determine if your teen is experiencing depression and they may also be able to identify contributing factors. As a parent, your primary role will be to offer unconditional love and support along the way. Closely monitoring changes in your teenâs behavior can connect them with the help they need before the condition gets worse.
What are the causes and risks of teenage depression?
Depression is a condition that takes place along a spectrum, meaning its causes and effects will vary by individual. Every instance of depression will be unique. According Harvard Health, âthere are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.â
Depression can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Excessive social media use and substance abuse issues have also been identified as major contributors. Once an individual is depressed, many aspects of their life may begin to suffer.
The risks of untreated depression include patterns of self-harm, exacerbated substance abuse, and even suicide. Experiencing difficulties maintaining relationships, holding down a job, and performing in school is not uncommon. Over the past decade, the teen suicide rate has increased by nearly 40 percent. In order to help protect your teen from these risks, it will be important to take action early.
What are the best treatment options for teenage depression?
Because depression is a common mental health condition, there has been a considerable amount of research looking for possible solutions. Once diagnosed, your teen will need a treatment plan that is as unique as they are.
At first, your teenâs doctor will likely prescribe anti-depressants or other related medications. Individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and experiential treatments can also be incredibly beneficial.
If your teenâs signs and symptoms of depression worsen over time, residential treatment may be necessary. Residential treatment centers offer higher levels of care than other programs. They have also proven to be effective, when needed. Regardless of your childâs current treatment modality, as time goes on, your teenâs treatment plan will need to be adjusted. Consistently following up with a medical professional will be very important.
Conclusion
Many parents of depressed teens are unsure where to begin their search for a solution. After talking to your teen, trying to understand what they are going through, and getting a proper diagnosis, youâll be moving in a positive direction. Though depression can indeed be a very debilitating condition, many teens who are depressed are able to overcome their condition and go on to live very fulfilling lives.
Written by Katherine Finberg.
Related Reading :
[ This is a collaborative guest post & as such the ideas expressed here are that of the author. ]
25 comments
I belong to a walking group and our chosen charity for the first half of the year was papyrus which works to prevent suicide among young people. I hope you don’t mind me including the number for their hopeline tel:0800 068 41 41 It is a sobering thought that suicide is the leading cause for the under 25’s. I am glad you discussed this topic keep up the good work.
That’s very thoughtful & helpful of you, Anne. Thank you  â„
whew! sobering & imporant – tx Caz & Katherine
The warning signs are hard to spot, maybe harder in a one-parent household. I think the best thing to try to do is keep communication going with teens. That’s hard to do today but just as important as it use to be before mobile phones. Social media can trigger depression and its hard for teens to get away from it. Today moving away doesn’t help at all.
I think parents should have access to at least some of the social media their kids are using. To see what’s being said to whom might prevent bad decisions from impressional young minds.
This is so important for parents of teens to know. Getting the help that’s needed is essential.
Have a fabulous day, Caz. â„
Great post! I would recommend every parent to read this article.
Some people still think depression doesn’t exist in teenagers, but they are wrong. I hope this post helps to raise awareness.
A great post. We know more and more teenagers suffering from depression đ
Happy yuo shared this. All parents need to know this.
This is a topic that has bothered me for some time. Teenaged angst and depression (from many causes) results in the ending of young lives that could have eventually benefited mankind with their compassion and sympathy. I wrote about one cause with the following:
NO
© 2019 Barbara Grace Lake
Adorable her aunties thought
At her first timid ânoâ
In time those noâs became less shy
Ear splitting, thunderous roar
Youâll have to train her, now they said
Or sheâll a rebel be
Approaching her, so malleable
Unwisely they began
To rid foreâer her lexicon
Of âno,â and âno,â but ânoâ
You must be pleasant, compromise
Was skewered in her brain
At twelve her dates were parties, groups
Of scarcely less than eight
School dances, miniature golf or films
Activities allowed
Her preference often set aside
Refrained from saying ânoâ
As children do she reached sixteen
And dates for real began
Engagements still were innocent.
With kiss upon the cheek
Her Momâs last cautionary words,
âBe sure youâre home by tenâ
Progressive school curriculum
Sex education gave
The mother said ânot for my child
Enticing her to sex
Sheâll learn in marriage what she needs
And all she needs to knowâ
When handsome high school quarterback
Proposed a date with her
He claimed her in his fatherâs car
They went for food and beer
She later could not tell him ânoâ
Virginity was lost
But quarterback her bĂȘte noir
His avid teammates told
Too many relished giddy news
Of how a virgin crashed
In after days she stayed at home
Lay sobbing in her room
Her friends, distraught, abandoned her
Adults who might have helped
Instead increased their cruel abuse
âLoose, common slut exposedâ
All hope, all sense of self-worth gone
She ended her own life.
Barbara, that is so powerful & painfully sad. It hits home brutally. Thank you so much for sharing this  �???
xx
A timely and valuable post. I always worry about young people in these complicated times.
Iâd like to offer another option: mindfulness meditation. Iâve written about it on my blog. Hereâs the link:
https://annieasksyou.com/2018/10/21/rx-for-schoolkids-open-your-mouth-and-say-ommmmm/
As Mom to a severely depressed teen, I appreciated this article. More attention and awareness needs to be given to this debilitating disease and all that goes with it. I think it of crucial importance too, to mention that concussions can significantly contribute to, or cause, teenage depression. It’s not often discussed or mentioned, but parents should be made more aware-especially when their child plays a sport. Teen depression and self mutilation can tear families apart and bring them to their knees. Less stigma and more publicized knowledge can help. Thanks for the important post, Caz!!
Such an important post. We don’t discuss depression enough, but especially depression in teens. I feel so bad for these children who already have so much on their plate, who feel hopeless and alone on top of it. Thanks for helping to raise awareness!
I am so grateful to you for bringing attention to this Caz. It breaks my heart so much to hear in the news about how many teenagers and adults alike are ending their lives due to depression. It’s a wretched disease that clouds your vision so much. You just lose sight of everything – your value, your dreams, all of it. As a child (and adult), I suffered terribly from anxiety and depression but it wasn’t handled properly. Far too often, that is the case. The worst part is how that lack of care affects you later in life.
I once heard the saying, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” When you’re in the thick of it, sadly, it doesn’t feel temporary and nothing seems as though it will ever improve. So painful. My heart breaks for anyone going through depression, anxiety, low self-worth or mental illness of any kind. It changes lives. It’s so easy to lose yourself in it. I know firsthand how devastating the impact is.
Only making matters worse is how few people understand the gravity and toll it takes. When you hear things like, “Oh, just smile – you’re ok!” Or “You should be more grateful.” It makes me sick because they don’t understand and only further compound the feelings of loneliness. We MUST do better in supporting our community suffering with these issues.
Thanks for being one who cares and listens, my friend â„
Iâm so sorry youâve struggled yourself with anxiety and depression; Iâm not too sure, having experienced them myself as a child and adult, which age is itâs more difficult to deal with. Youâre right, support early on when youâre young needs to be there, and itâs sadly often lacking. Those sorts of comments you refer to absolutely drive me up the wall, along with âoh it canât be that badâ. Thereâs still a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding, and itâs something you can only truly appreciate if youâve experienced it yourself. Empathy and more knowledge would go a long way though in helping others. As a community, a society, we need to do more, as do schools, governments and the media. Thank you so much for sharing this, Holly  â„
xx
It’s very sad – depression is so common amongst young people nowadays. I have some young relatives who have suffered and it is pretty heartbreaking knowing how much it can change their lives. Really good article.
As an educator, I have to be diligent in recognizing and reporting symptoms, too. I worry so much for my students who battle with depression.
It’s definitely a topic everyone must read and be aware of especially in the age of excessive social media use etc. Thanks for sharing a great post indeed,.
Thank you for posting this. It’s important.
THank you for this information!
I only realise now, that looking back, I was definitely depressed and had anxiety disorder as a teenager. But I didn’t have names for these feelings until I was much older.
So important for parents to be aware of the signs because not all teens experiencing them notice it themselves.
Excellent Job
I appreciate this, immensely. I wish when I was a teen that all these great articles had been out.
Thank you,
Tamara
Same here. There was nothing when I was a teen really about mental health, no kind of support or ‘you’re not alone’ initiatives. My parents didn’t have a clue, either. It’s good to see things are changing and there’s more awareness.x