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.

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)

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.

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

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

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

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.