What are the Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers?

Depression is a common mental disorder that can affect any gender and any age group. Hence, it is no wonder if teenagers visit doctors for the treatment of mental and emotional disorders occurring at their age. Depression in teenagers is no different from adults suffering from depression.

Teenage depression can be caused due to multiple reasons such as social and development challenges, hormonal changes or development changes. This type of mental illness in teenagers can affect various aspects of their life such as personal life, work-life, family life, school life etc. Read on to know about symptoms of depression in teenagers.

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What Are the Physical Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers?

There can be various signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers. These signs can affect physical, mental, emotional and behavioural aspects. Each of these signs is discussed separately.

So, let’s start with the signs of depression in teenagers,

Tiredness, lethargic
Feeling of unmotivated
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Change in appetite
Change in body weight
Headaches
Joint pain, back pain
Sleeping issues (insomnia, oversleeping, feeling of staying in bed all day)

What Are the Mental Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers?

Here is a list of signs of depression in youth-related to mental/cognitive health,

Difficulty in focusing
Trouble in finishing tasks
Difficulty in taking a decision
Forgetfulness or trouble in remembering
Coming of negative thoughts that can hardly be ignored, such as self-harm, suicidal thoughts.

What Are the Emotional Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers?

There are several emotional symptoms of depression in teenagers. These are as follows,

Irritated or annoyed mood
Loss of interest in activities that one enjoyed once
Feelings of sadness, urge to cry with no definite cause
Loss of interest
Unreasonable conflict with family and friends
Low self-worth
Frustration
Feelings of anger on every matter
Feeling hopeless or empty
Recurrent sense that life is futile or the future is bleak
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Constant need for reassurance
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism
Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide

What Are the Behavioural Signs of Depression in Teenagers?

Following is a list of behavioural changes or signs of depression in teens,

Relying too much on alcohol or drugs
Agitation or restlessness — such as inability to sit still
Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behaviour, or other acting-out behaviours
Feeling of avoiding social interaction
Desire to skip school
Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance
Tendency of self-harm such as cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing
Inclination towards making a suicide plan or trying to attempt suicide

What Are the Treatment Options of Depression in Teenagers?

There is no uniform treatment available for teenage depression. Depending on the severity of depression, the treatment options can also vary. These are as follows,

Medication (prescription antidepressants)
Psychotherapy (including Cognitive behavioural therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Interpersonal therapy)

Apart from these, there are other treatment options available. These are,

Family counselling
Psychoeducation
Brain stimulation
Complementary medicine

How to Tackle Depression in Teenagers?

To tackle depression in teenagers, individuals have to follow the symptoms mentioned below,

Talk to an adult/friend you trust, i.e., share your feeling
Try to spend time with friends/family even if you do not like
Engage yourself in activities that you enjoyed once
Eat healthy diet
Do not take alcohol or drug
Get enough sleep
Practice exercise or meditation

Symptoms of depression in teenagers are treatable. However, if these symptoms are left untreated for a long time, it can lead to severe physical or mental health issues, which can convert into suicidal thoughts. So, read these symptoms carefully, and be aware and consult doctors immediately if any negative thoughts overcome you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What causes teenage depression?

Imbalance in brain chemicals, changes in hormones, early childhood trauma or family history, can cause teenage depression.

What risk factors trigger depression in a teenager?

Victim of physical, sexual abuse; long-term bullying or academic issues; learning disability; chronic disease such as asthma, cancer, diabetes; addiction to alcohol/drug; certain mental disorders such as personality disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, etc., can trigger depression in teenagers.

What are the signs of depression in teenagers?

Teenagers with depression might show signs like withdrawal from friends and activities, academic decline, irritability and changes in eating or sleeping patterns. Adolescence is a vulnerable period, and early intervention is key.

The good news is that many health insurance policies now offer coverage for mental health conditions in adolescents, including therapy sessions and necessary medications, ensuring timely and affordable care. Hence, you must consider having health insurance if you have a teenager.