Signs of Teenage Depression
Understanding teenage depression is very difficult for many parents and other adults to accomplish. It is not that the signs of teenage depression are that difficult, but many adults fail to have to
ability to distinguish signs of depression from those of unhappiness. The teenage years are very difficult ones, and though most teenagers are able to balance occasional sadness and despair with good friends, success in school, and a sense of self-worth, depression falls into a different category. When a teen is depressed, it can change the very essence of his or her personality leading to a deep sense of sadness, despair or even extreme anger. Today teenage depression is becoming more common than at any time in the past but whether it’s because there are more instances of teenage depression or the public is becoming more aware of it remains a mystery.
In spite of the fact that depression is treatable, statistics reveal that only twenty per cent of teenagers suffering from depression ever receive the help they need. Where adults have the ability to seek professional help on their own, teenagers usually, depend on the adults in their lives to recognize the signs of teenage depression and help them obtain the help that is necessary. Therefore, any adult who interacts with teenagers needs to know the signs of depression in order to spot the warning signs before it is too late. Many cases of teenage suicide are the direct result of parents, teachers, and other adults failing to have the knowledge to separate depression from sadness.
In the 21st century teenagers face a great deal of pressures about puberty and where they fit in. This transition from child to adult tends to cause parental conflicts as teens begin to seek their independence. With so much drama, it can often be difficult to tell the difference between depression and the normal moodiness that is part of a teenager’s transition to adulthood. It becomes even more difficult when a teen does not appear sad but instead is irritable, aggressive, and enraged—not signs that most people recognize as depression.
One thing that people may fail to recognize is that depression in teenagers can manifest itself in different ways from that of adults. Some symptoms more common in teenagers than adults may include the following:
- Anger and/or irritability are the common moods predominant in depressed teenagers. Grumpiness, hostility, frustration and outbursts of anger are also very common in depressed teenagers.
- A depressed teenager may also complain frequently about headaches, stomachaches and other physical ailments. If no physical cause can be found, these complaints are more than likely due to depression.
- Depressed teens often feel worthless which makes them for sensitive to criticism, rejection and even failure. This is especially prominent in over-achievers.
- Depressed teenagers will not withdraw from all people. They tend to keep some friendships, may withdraw from their parents, socialize less or hang out with different friends than they had previously.
Although teen suicide is of concern with depressed teenagers, other problems can manifest themselves if the condition is not treated. If teenage depression is not treated, it can cause any of the following to occur:
- Because depression can cause a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating, a teen may have problems in school including poor attendance, lower grades or frustration in completing schoolwork for a previously good student.
- The teen may run away or talk about running away. This should be viewed as a request for help.
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Intensified feelings of worthlessness
- Development of anorexia, bulimia and other types of eating disorders
- Addition to the internet in order to escape real life problems
- Inflicting injury upon themselves
- Exhibition of risky behavior such as driving recklessly, drinking excessively and engaging in unsafe sex
- Violent behavior (more common in boys who have been subjected to bullying)
- Thinking, speaking or attempting suicide in order to get attention. Any thoughts or behaviors of a suicidal nature should be taken seriously.