It may also be a reaction to a disturbing event such as the death of a friend or relative, a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or failure at school. Normal behavior in adolescents is marked by both up and down moods, with alternating periods of feeling 'the world is a great place' and 'life's a bummer'. These moods may alternate over a period of hours or days. Persistent depressed mood, faltering school performance, failing relations with family and friends, substance abuse and other negative behaviors may indicate a serious depressive episode. A suicide attempt may follow either a short or prolonged period of depression.
Adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to experience depression.
Prevention Periods of depressed mood are common in most adolescents. However, supportive interpersonal relationships and healthy coping skills can help prevent such periods from leading to more severe depressive symptoms. Counseling may help teens deal with periods of low mood. For adolescents with a strong family history of depression, or with multiple risk factors, episodes of depression may not be preventable. For these teens, early identification and prompt and comprehensive treatment of depression may prevent or postpone further episodes.