Teenage Depression is Real: 10 Subtle Signs to Watch for in Your Teens

Life with a teenager can be a roller coaster. Between the chaotic schedule, sudden demand for privacy, and emotional highs and lows, it can feel as though each day is a new challenge. The teen years are the second most important period of development as teenage bodies, brains, and personalities are rapidly changing. With all these changes comes a certain amount of emotional stress, causing occasional mood swings or emotional dips. You may be wondering, though, “How can I know if my teen is suffering from more than just mood swings?” or “What if I miss the signs of something more serious because I assume they are ‘just teens’?” These are great questions because depression is the most common mental illness among teens and adults in the United States.

The Reality of Teenage Depression

Around 10-15% of teens will have some symptoms of depression at some point, but only about 5% will struggle from a major depressive disorder. According to a study done by the National Institute of Mental Illness, in 2014, an estimated 2.8 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had had at least one major depressive episode during the past year. This number represented 11.4% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17. The study also found that females were more likely to suffer from depression than males and that rates of depression increased with age from 12 to 17 years.

Signs of Teenage Depression

Although depression can be temporary, and while there are many effective treatments, including medication and talk therapy, it is important to recognize and diagnose depression before it leads to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The following information is a guide to noticing the signs of teenage depression so that you can find support when needed:

• Sadness or hopelessness for most of the day.
• Loss of interest in activities: Are they avoiding activities or commitments that used to bring them joy? Are they cancelling plans and preferring to stay at home?
• Withdrawing from friends and family: Are they avoiding friends and social events?
• Changes in patterns of eating or sleeping: Is your teen eating less than normal? Are they sleeping more or less than their normal habits?
• Frequent crying.
• Inability to focus and stay on task: Has their school work become more challenging, or are they falling behind on their assignments?
• Increased feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Do they seem to only have negative things to say about themselves? Does their self-esteem seem to be lower than normal?
• Low motivation: Are they struggling to start a project or to take initiative? Is it a challenge to just get ready for the day?
• Irritability and anger.
• Thoughts about death or suicide.

The Difference between Adult and Teenage Depression

When most people think of depression, they picture what the symptoms look like in adults. But teenage depression can look very different than depression in adults. For example, teens may exhibit more irritability than sadness when depressed. Depressed teens also experience physical pain, such as headaches and stomach pain, which cannot be explained by any physical ailment. Depressed teens are also more sensitive to criticism as they are already feeling increased worthlessness and guilt. And finally, while depressed adults often isolate themselves from most people in their lives, depressed teens will usually keep in contact with a few close friends.

Christian Counseling to Tackle Teenage Depression

If you have been noticing some or all of these symptoms in your teen’s life, it is important to take them to see their primary care physician and set up an appointment with a counselor. A trained Christian counselor can provide a listening ear and helpful insight into what is going on in your teen’s life.