Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in seven teenagers globally has depression. In the United States, the number is closer to one in five teenagers. According to data from Mental Health America, it is estimated that 20.17% of teens have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. 15% of them experienced severe impairment from the episode. These numbers indicate that depression is a growing mental health concern.Â
As a parent or guardian, you need to understand the symptoms of depression in adolescents. It is important to remember that depression manifests differently in different age groups. The manifestation of depression in adults can look vastly different from its manifestation in teenagers.Â
At Key Healthcare, we understand the significance of mental health treatment. In this article, we will explore the signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers. We will also examine the physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms. If you would like more information or treatment, visit Key Healthcare’s website today.Â
Common Emotional Symptoms of Adolescent Depression
Emotional symptoms of depression in teens can vary from one person to another. However, the following are some common emotional symptoms:Â
- Persistent Sadness or Hopelessness: Depressed teens struggle with persistent sadness. They often feel like they cannot overcome the overwhelming sadness they feel. This can lead to a feeling of hopelessness as they are unable to feel happy. They feel stuck in a loop of despair and sorrow. Persistent sadness can manifest as crying spells, which have no apparent cause.
- Irritability or Anger Outbursts: Depression can make your teen irritable. They feel misunderstood and are likely to lash out whenever they feel attacked or confronted. In some cases, teenagers may become angry and violent.Â
- Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: If your teen is depressed, they will likely struggle with their self-worth. They feel unlovable or undervalued. The feeling of low self-worth is usually caused by becoming overly self-critical. Teens with depression often talk down to themselves, leading to low self-worth. Some teenagers also feel guilty for being depressed. They think of depression as a punishment for anything bad that they have ever done.Â
- Loss of Interest in Activities: One of the most common symptoms of depression is a loss of interest in activities that your teen finds enjoyable. Most of the time, depressed teens will struggle to find joy in activities they like. Inevitably, this will lead to a loss of interest as they do not think these activities are worth pursuing. Depressed teenagers refuse to hang out with their friends or engage in sporting activities.Â
Behavioral Symptoms to Watch For
Depression can cause your teen to behave in strange and unpredictable ways. As a parent or guardian, you should watch out for the following warning signs of adolescent depression:Â
- Social Withdrawal and Isolation: If your teen is depressed, they will likely become socially withdrawn. Many teens think that it is better to deal with their sadness alone. Commonly, they tend to lock themselves in their rooms and avoid all forms of social interactions. If your teen does this frequently, it may be a sign that they are depressed.
- Changes in School Performance: Depression makes it hard for your teen to concentrate in class. They ruminate and dwell on their emotions. This can cause a sharp decline in their academic performance.Â
- Risky or Self-Destructive Behavior: In order to cope with sadness, your teen may begin engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior. For example, depressed teens commonly abuse alcohol and other substances to numb their pain. Some also engage in risky behavior, such as unsafe sexual practices, in a bid to feel something. Risky behavior can have lasting negative consequences on your teen’s life.Â
- Increased Conflict at Home or School: Unresolved feelings may cause your teen to become more prone to conflict. Sadness, irritability, and anger can cause them to become more aggressive or violent. This will manifest as constant fights at school or unexpected rudeness.Â
Physical Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents
Although depression is a mental health condition, it can have physical manifestations. These include the following:Â
- Fatigue and Low Energy: Depressed teens have a hard time being productive. The overwhelming sadness they feel can make it challenging to engage in simple tasks. For example, some depressed teens may find it hard to get out of bed or shower. Constant fatigue can have a significant impact on your teen’s life.Â
- Changes in Appetite or Weight: Appetite changes in depressed teens can manifest in two ways. Teens can either lose their appetite completely or feel insatiable. A loss of appetite can cause weight loss, while an increased appetite leads to weight gain.Â
- Psychosomatic Complaints: Like other mental health conditions, depression can manifest physically. Some common psychosomatic complaints observed in teenagers include frequent headaches, stomachaches, and muscle pains. These symptoms usually do not have a clear medical cause.Â
Cognitive Symptoms: How Depression Affects Thinking
Depression can have negative psychological or cognitive symptoms. These include the following:Â
- Difficulty Making Decisions: Depression makes it hard for teens to think clearly. They have trouble focusing and making decisions. This is because depression makes it challenging to evaluate options objectively, making it hard to make an informed choice.Â
- Negative Thought Patterns: Depressed teenagers struggle with negative thought patterns. They often adopt a catastrophizing way of thinking. This means that they only see negativity in their lives.Â
- Suicidal Thoughts: Suicidal ideation is a common symptom of depression. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness make it hard for teens to be optimistic about life.Â
How Symptoms Manifest Differently in Boys and Girls
Depression does not look the same in everyone. It can manifest differently in boys and girls. As a parent or guardian, you need to understand what to look out for.Â
The first difference you may notice in girls is that they are more likely to be dissatisfied with their appearance. Many girls struggle with body image issues because of depression. They compare themselves with their friends, siblings, or celebrities. This is made worse by the unrealistic body standards perpetuated by social media. On the other hand, boys are more likely to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.Â
Similarly, boys tend to become more irritable and impulsive when depressed. They have a hard time controlling their emotions and lash out at everyone. Additionally, they are less likely to ask for help. On the other hand, girls are more likely to become stressed or sad when depressed. They are also more likely to ask for help when they become depressed.Â
Lastly, boys are more likely to commit suicide compared to girls. Since they are less likely to ask for help, they resort to taking their own lives. According to a meta-analysis of several studies, it was observed that girls attempt suicide more often than boys. However, boys have higher suicide rates. This is commonly attributed to the fact that boys tend to use more lethal ways to take their own lives.Â
Key Healthcare’s Approach to Adolescent Depression
At Key Healthcare, we believe in the compassionate treatment of mental health conditions. Our mission is to change the lives of teenagers with depression. Key Healthcare focuses on providing individualized treatment that meets a teenager’s unique needs. If you enroll your teen in our outpatient or residential programs, they will be treated using evidence-based and holistic approaches. These approaches equip your teen with the required skills to overcome depression. Contact our Los Angeles facility today for more information about our treatment approaches.Â
