Knowing The Signs Of Adolescent Depression

Adolescence can be a tumultuous time for some teenagers. There are many physical, emotional and changes that happen during that time of life that can be difficult to process. It isn’t uncommon for teens to feel down or confused, stressed or under pressure during this time. Knowing the signs of adolescent depression can help parents decide to take action, and seek family counseling.

There can be many factors that contribute to a teen feeling depression. It could be a sudden life event, a trauma, or a side effect of medication or drug use. Family history can also play a part in the onset of depression.

Some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for may be:

• A change in a peer group
• Onset of sadness
• A change in social behavior
• Poor self-esteem
• Anger or rage
• Lack of interest in activities formerly enjoyed
• Overreaction to criticism
• Sudden weight loss
• Weight gain
• Isolating themself
• Substance abuse
• Restless sleep or change in sleep patterns
• Hostile behavior
• Rage towards authority figures
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

It is crucial that adolescents experiencing signs of depression receive prompt treatment from a professional. If you feel that your teen is depressed and/or they are refusing treatment, it is imperative that they see a doctor immediately. There may be a need for medication, which a doctor will be able to assess and prescribe prior to and in conjunction with counseling or therapy. Most teens will not be able to recognize the symptoms in themselves, and may need encouragement from their friends, teachers or other adults to seek help for their depression. It is important for them to realize that it is not their fault, and dealing with symptoms will help them recover and move on to adulthood with coping mechanisms in place.