Is Your Teen Depressed?
Picture this: Your teenager says her day was “depressing.” Or tells you she feels “so depressed” after failing a test. Talking in this way has become so common these days, and our ideas about depression may start from the many things we have heard or experienced ourselves. Your child may be simply describing normal, everyday mood swings; your child may be reacting to a hard challenge; or your child may be experiencing depression. Sometimes it is hard to know. While ups and downs are normal in teenagers, it can be difficult for parents to differentiate these concerns from something more significant, such as a depressive disorder.
I’m hopeful this is the beginning of an open and ongoing conversation (i.e. with your teen, a therapist, or within your support system) regarding your concerns, so you may address these concerns with greater understanding and an awareness of when to seek available resources.
What are the signs that a pre-teen or teen who is suffering from clinical depression?
Depression is usually more than feeling down once in a while, and one of the most important things for parents to be aware of is the fact that depression presents differently in teenagers and kids. As a parent, it is important to talk with your child or teen when you notice a change in their mood or behavior, or if they are showing some of the following signs or symptoms:
Irritability, anger or agitation (this sign is more typical for teens than adults). Sometimes this symptom is dismissed as “typical moodiness” rather than a sign of depression or deeper worries.
Withdrawal or isolation from others
Disturbance in sleep patterns
Changes in appetite
Decrease in interest of daily or previously enjoyed activities
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Expressions of helplessness or hopelessness
Decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating
Having trouble in school or grades dropping
In more serious cases, teens may express thoughts of suicide or the desire or behavior of hurting themselves.
What causes depression and how is it treated?
While sometimes a specific event may happen before the onset of depression, there is usually not one cause for depression. Usually it’s a combination of factors that contribute to the onset of depression, including family history, medical conditions, stress, difficulties in relationships and grief.
Meeting with a therapist may help you to better understand how these symptoms developed over time and what may be the best means of addressing these concerns. Depending on the symptoms, more frequent therapy appointments may be recommended, or your therapist may refer you to a psychiatrist to assess if medication may help address your child’s symptoms.
Do’s and Don’ts for discussing concerns regarding depressive symptoms
Do:
Make an appointment with a professional. Especially if symptoms are interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
If a teen is experiencing even some, but not all, symptoms of depression, especially if he or she is thinking about suicide, it is important to have them seen by a professional.
Practice active and reflective listening.
Don’t:
Dismiss or minimize your teen’s symptoms.
Overreact to a teen’s symptoms of depression.
As a parent, seeing your child struggle with symptoms of depression can often leave you feeling scared, confused or helpless. The important thing is that you do not have to know the answers and it is not your responsibility to “fix” these symptoms. But, by taking the time to become more familiar with the signs and symptoms related to depression and learning to push past the potential discomfort of discussing these concerns, you can allow your child to begin this dialogue and help them find the support they may need.
