How-to find out if your teenager is battling depression?
Tags: Health, Depression, Mental Health, Teens, Parenting

BY THABITHA DAVID · PUBLISHED JULY 22, 2020 · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

Teenager is battling depression: Before we jump into this topic. I would wish to say that it is good that you are reading more about this topic and I genuinely hope this is of help in your search.

I must appreciate that the very fact that you are reading this blog. Only tells me that you have taken the first step to help your child in combatting the issue.

As parents you need to understand that teen battling depression is not something that you are facing alone.

A simple proof is that fact that I and so does many bloggers around the world are writing on this topic. This only proves that this is a problem that is faced by many many parents out there.

There is nothing to feel guilty or a failure as a parent because you are facing an issue like this.

If your teenager is battling depression. It is a serious issue and you would require help. But always remember there are parents who have faced this and have overcome and grown to be successful adults.

Take heart, cheer, and read on.

Topics Covered

Introduction

Teenagers can be extremely difficult, and depression affects teenagers much more often than many of us think.

Teenage depression goes beyond mood swings this is a serious health problem that affects every aspect of a teenager’s life.

Depression is common and affects 1–2% of children and 5–8% of teens. Depression seems to increase, especially in girls in their teens.

As with adults, girls are twice as affected as boys.

Up to 20% have had a depression episode during their teenage years.

About half of these adolescent’s experience recurrent depression, and most depressions make their debut during adolescence.

Hence it is important for us to know more and understand if our teenager is battling depression.

Some of the effects of Depression in Teens:

Depression usually occurs in adolescence. For children, it may be that they feel more anxious and afraid of things, and in their teenage years it can lead to depression.

Note: A teenager does not need to be depressed to express anger, but the behavioral pattern changes suddenly and lasts longer than two weeks, there may be reason to suspect depression.

In layman’s terms the way I understand depression is. It is a mood disorder. Where the person has more low moods than high moods.

Effects of depression

Teenage depressions can seriously affect relationships and school functioning even in adulthood.

It can bring with it a more serious prognosis than when the condition debuts in adulthood.

Depression is also the condition most closely associated with suicide in young people.

Suicide is one of the most common causes of death in teenagers and half of those who die in suicide are thought to suffer from depression.

Teams also manifest depression by way of self-harm. By way of cutting themselves up, burning or excessive piercing.

As parent it is difficult for us to tell between normal teen mood swings and teen depression.

To know more about teenage mood swings read our article How-To Help & Deal with a teenager mood swings.

But if we find out that our teenagers are having trouble managing their feelings. And life in general feels overwhelming for them.

Then it is about time that we step in as parents to help them through the phase.

Note: Do remember that depression leads to suicidal tendency. As parent it is wise that we are aware of the signs of suicidal tendency to watch out for in our teens. Please read our much-appreciated article How-to find out suicidal tendency in your teen?.

Signs & symptoms that tells if teenager is battling depression:

Unlike adults, who can ask for help on their own, teens rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to acknowledge their suffering and get the help they need.

But it is not always easy.

On the one hand, adolescents with depression are not necessarily sad.

Instead, irritability, anger and restlessness may be the most important symptoms to watch out for to tell if your teenager is battling depression.

Depression should not be confused with anxiety. They are not one and the same. However they can coexist.

Some of our articles that can be of help are How-To SPOT & DEAL with Teenage Anxiety Issues. How-To HELP & EASE stress in your teenager, How-To Help & Deal with a teenager mood swings

Signs and symptoms of adolescent depression:

Sadness or despair

Irritability, anger, or hostility

Frequent tearing up or tears

Withdrawal from friends and family

Loss of interest in activities

Poor academic performance

Changes in eating and sleeping habits

Restlessness and agitation

Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

Lack of enthusiasm and motivation

Fatigue or lack of energy

Difficulty concentrating

Unexplained aches and pains

Thoughts of death or suicide

Progression of depression

The risk of relapse and recurrent depression in adolescence can indeed reach 70% after 5 years (for a characterized depression).

On the other hand, a reactive depressive disorder is hardly ever followed by a major depress

Causes of depression in teenagers

A Teenager is battling depression for many reasons. It can develop due to many reasons

It can be seen in a conflict family environment.

The pressure put on the child by parents without realizing it can cause depression.

Behavioral incompatibility may be the cause of childhood depression.

Loss of parents or divorce of parents can cause depression in children.

Domestic violence

Joining the new baby in the family

Environmental changes due to home and school change

Conflict or stress with friends or classmates

Peer pressure, toxic friendship, wrong relationships can cause depression in teens. To know more about these topics read our articles… 5 Effective ways to deal with Peer Pressure, How-To get rid of your teens Toxic Friendship and How-to Talk to your Teen about Dating and Relationship

How to find out your child is depressed:

If you notice that your child or your teen has been depressed for several weeks.

Is indifferent to something he or she usually thinks is fun.

Does not sleep or eat as usual.

Are few of the common sign of depression?

While bad mood or acting out can be expected during adolescence, depression is something different.

Depression can destroy the essence of your teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or anger.

Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in adolescents can be signs of depression.

Teenagers are prone to mood swings and anger issues that can also result in back-talking. Do read our article How to effectively deal with Teenager Anger. , How-To Handle Teen Backtalk and Disrespect

In addition, they usually have at least three of these symptoms:

Trouble sleeping, sleeps too little or very much.

They have changed appetite; eat too little or too much.

They have physical problems, such as stomach pain or headaches.

Tired and energy less in a way that cannot be rested.

Trouble concentrating and thinking.

Thinks about death and not wanting to live.

Impaired self-esteem

Teens can use alcohol or drugs to “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.

Depressed teenagers can engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, binge eating and unsafe sex.

In schools’ teens unable to concentrate, think and be engaged. Then it becomes difficult to keep up with the lessons and do homework.

Dropping grades, avoiding school activities, frequent medical symptoms like abdominal and head ache that the teacher can observe.

They often talks about the possibility of committing suicide or jokes about it

It expresses the belief that there is nothing more to do, there are no ways out, nor hope

He idealizes death and considers it a way to be remembered / considered

He has risky behaviors that endanger him.

Some depressed teens, usually boys who are bullied, can become aggressive and violent.

When a Teenager is battling depression. One of the coping mechanisms of depression is resorting to drug or alcohol abuse or take unwanted risks to escape the pains of reality.