Symptoms of Depression in Teens

What parents often ignore as teenage hormone-induced mood swings could be depression. Depression is gradually turning into a global pandemic and teenagers are being affected more than ever. The symptoms of depression in teens are often quite similar to regular teenage tantrums. The signs of depression in teen are different from those seen in adults. Parents often ignore these signs and do not seek any help due to a lack of awareness. Read on to know more about the symptoms of depression in teenagers.

Symptoms

The signs of depression in teens often get overlooked as they tend to overlap with usual teen behaviour. Depression symptoms can also vary in severity. Here are some significant symptoms of depression in teens.

• Sadness

• Excessive crying

• Irritability

• Loss of interest in things they loved earlier

• Social withdrawal

• Insomnia or sleeping too much

• Loss of appetite or compulsive overeating

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Inability to concentrate

• Feeling tired all the time

• Preoccupation with death or dying

• Rebellious behaviour

• A sudden drop in grades

• Use of alcohol

• Promiscuous activities

• Extreme sensitivity to failure and rejection

Causes of Depression in Teens

There are multiple causes for depression in teens. Here are some of them.

• Traumatic life event

• Loss of a loved one

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Domestic violence

• Poverty

• Social unacceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity

• Hypothyroidism

• Consumption of illegal drugs

• Failure in romance or studies

• Genetic

How is Teenage Depression Diagnosed?

There aren’t any specific tests to diagnose depression. However, your doctor may run some tests to rule out other diseases. Talking with the teen is the most effective way to diagnose depression. Apart from the teen, doctor may also interview the parents and teachers. The severity of depression and the risk of suicide can be assessed based on these interviews. The doctor will conduct a detailed psychological evaluation to check if the teenager is suffering from any other mental disorder like anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. He/she will also check if there is any alcohol or substance abuse involved. The doctor will check if there is any potential risk of suicide or homicide. Based on the evaluation, your doctor will recommend medicine and therapy.