These Behaviours Could Indicate Depression In Teens
If you’re currently raising a teenager, you might be finding it a challenging period to navigate. Teenagers can indeed be combative and rude, but it’s important to remember that they’re undergoing the huge transition from childhood to adulthood – and the path is rarely smooth.
From physical and hormonal changes to social and emotional challenges, teens go through so much in a relatively short period of time. Most will get through to the other side without any serious problems. But for others, the teen years can be so overwhelming that their mental health can really suffer.
Read on to learn more about depression in teens, the behaviours that may indicate your child is suffering, and what you can do to get them the support they need.
What is Depression?
Everyone can feel sad from time to time, but depression is an ongoing low-mood disorder that can make everyday activities difficult. It can result in a person withdrawing from their favourite activities and limiting their contact with friends and family. Depression can occur at any time of life. It can range in severity, and symptoms may look a little different from person to person.
Surges in Teenage Depression
Being a teenager has always been a rocky road to travel, but the pressures of modern life – and in particular, the impact of being constantly online – are contributing to higher rates of teenagers experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety.
For Melbourne adolescents, living through the pandemic as a child added the challenges of virtual learning, a lack of social interaction with their peers, and increased screen time. In addition, many families experienced financial struggles. Many of these children are now teenagers, and data on the impacts of the pandemic on teenagers five years on is still being collected.
If you suspect your teen has ongoing issues related to the pandemic, it may help them to talk to a psychologist in Melbourne.
Why Is My Teenager Depressed?
Depression is not uncommon in teens, with up to 1 in 4 young people experiencing it at some point. It can happen to anyone, but risk factors include:
- Genetics – If someone in your family has suffered from depression before, this can increase your child’s chance of experiencing it, too.
- Stressful Life Events – Adolescents who have experienced highly stressful life events (e.g. a death in the family, or their parents divorcing) can be susceptible to periods of depression.
- Trauma – Family violence, abuse or neglect can lead to depression in teens.
- Biological Factors – Depression can be caused by hormones, physical health issues, or differences in brain chemistry, including neurodivergence.
With the right support, depression is treatable. Specialist depression psychologists are trained to help your teen find a path forward.
Common Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Depression affects the way a person feels and the way they behave. Even if they don’t seem outwardly sad, changes in your child’s day-to-day routine could be a symptom.
Depression symptoms can vary in severity, but here are some common things to look for:
- Sadness, despair, irritability, feeling flat or apathetic
- Crying spells over small issues, or sometimes for no reason at all
- Becoming increasingly frustrated or angry over small matters
- A lack of interest in things that usually make them happy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Exhibiting a lack of self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
- Being overly self-critical or fixating on small mistakes or past failures
- Being unable to concentrate at school or home
Changes in your teen’s behaviour or usual routine can include:
- A lack of energy or motivation
- Insomnia or sleeping more than usual
- A change in appetite
- Restlessness
- Complaining about muscle aches, headaches or stomach pain
- Having poor personal hygiene
- Using alcohol or drugs
- Self-harming
Does your child seem anxious? Depression and anxiety can often go hand in hand. Psychologists specialising in anxiety disorders can provide simple but effective strategies to help manage anxious feelings.
When Should I Get Help For My Teen?
It’s normal for a teenager to experience mood swings, bouts of low confidence, or to feel down for a few days. It’s also normal for their interests to change over time.
However, if you’ve noticed your child has been down for more than two weeks or has significantly withdrawn from their usual routine, there is help available. You may like to start with your family GP or contact a psychologist directly. The right psychologist will support your teen through their challenges and tailor a treatment plan that supports their recovery.