Teens go through many changes such as physical maturation, the growing importance of friends, peer pressure, and changing relationships with parents. As a result of these potentially stressful changes, even the most well prepared adolescent can sometimes feel overwhelmed and alone. Some youth will have a difficult time coping and may fall into depression. Feeling depressed is different than feeling stressed. Symptoms of stress such as tension, frustration, and worry, tend to last only for a few hours to a few days.
Depression is more severe and lasts longer.
If your teen shows 3 or more of the following warning signs that last more than 2-3 weeks, you should seek help for your teen. Although these are risk factors, it does not mean that your child will develop depression if these situations exist. Nor does it mean if your child does not have any of these circumstances in their life that they will be immune from depression. When these risk factors begin to accumulate, it's especially important to monitor for signs of depression. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements.