Parent’s Guide to Helping Teens With Depression

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and the occasional melancholy—it’s a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Teen depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, self-loathing and self-mutilation, pregnancy, violence, and even suicide. But as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can help a teen with depression. Talking about the problem and offering support can go a long way toward getting your teenager back on track.

There are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.

Whether the incidences of teen depression are actually increasing, or we’re just becoming more aware of them, the fact remains that depression strikes teenagers far more often than most people think. And although depression is highly treatable, experts say only one in five depressed teens receive help. Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatments and services they need. So if you have an adolescent in your life, it’s important to learn what teen depression looks like and how to help if you spot the warning signs.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Teens

Teenagers face a host of pressures, from the changes of puberty to questions about who they are and where they fit in. The natural transition from child to adult can also bring parental conflict as teens start to assert their independence. There are many factors to consider when trying to understand the causes of depression in teens.

It isn’t always easy to differentiate between teen depression and normal teenage moodiness. Making things even more complicated, teens with depression do not necessarily appear sad, nor do they always withdraw from others. For some depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more prominent.

What Teen Depression Might Look Like

• Sadness or hopelessness
• Irritability, anger, or hostility
• Tearfulness or frequent crying
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Loss of interest in activities
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Restlessness and agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If you’re unsure if an adolescent in your life is depressed or just “being a teenager,” consider how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self. While some “growing pains” are to be expected as teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, dramatic, long-lasting changes in personality, mood, or behavior are red flags of a deeper problem.

Adapted from “Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression” on Helpguide.org. Read the source article about the signs and symptoms of depression in teens and how you can help on the Helpguide.org website.

Source: Helpguide | Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm | ©Helpguide.org. All rights reserved. Helpguide.org is a trusted non-profit guide to mental health and well-being.

Do you have concerns about your teen? Care Coordinators can arrange a free 30 minute Care Consultation so you can explore options with an expert. Call or email a CHC Care Coordinator at 650.688.3625 or careteam@stage.chconline.org