Teen Depression: Causes, Signs, Symptoms And How To Help

Photo from Malaty Therapy

Depression is a major mental health issue that results in constant unhappiness and loss of interest in activities. The thoughts, feelings, and behavior are affected, and it may result in emotional, cognitive, and physical issues. Although depression can develop at any point in life, symptoms may vary between  teens and adults. 

Different reasons could cause this unhappy feeling in teens, from school stress to peer pressure or bullying to anxiety or fear of failing; the list goes on. As a parent, you must be very observant, and should notice if your child is going through something. Some signs could be obvious, and it is always easier to help them overcome this feeling early on before it gets more complicated.

Although it might feel overwhelming and cause profound hopelessness, depression is treatable. People can control their symptoms with the help of appropriate medical care and social support. We shall be discussing how to help them get over the feeling.

Some well-being retreats have been organized especially to help young people work through their depression and get better. If you are looking for ways to help your teens, you should consider the all inclusive retreat programs available.

Causes of Depression in Teens

Teenagers might develop depression for a variety of causes. For instance, teens may feel worthless and inadequate due to academic performance. Numerous aspects of a teen’s life, including their domestic situation, sexual orientation, interactions with their peers, and academic success, can impact how they feel.

Teenage depression can occasionally be brought on by environmental stress. However, regardless of the reason, there is a good chance that a teenager is depressed if spending time with friends and family or engaging in activities they usually love doesn’t help alleviate their sadness or sense of loneliness.

Symptoms of Depression to look for in your teen

There are usually different symptoms of depression, and it varies in different individuals. The symptoms might change from time to time and can be shown through emotional and behavioral changes.

Some common symptoms include:

• Trouble feeling happy or excited about things
• Feeling constantly sad
• Feeling guilty or insecure about themselves
• Low self-esteem  
• Anxiety
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty in socializing
• Change in eating habits
• Crying
•  Tiredness and loss of energy
• Thought of suicide
• Slower thinking and movement
• Less attention to personal hygiene
• Poor academic performance
• Easily angered
• Loss of interest in things they used to love
• Listening to music with depressing lyrics and getting emotional

Is it possible that depression may be hereditary?

Yes. Sometimes, depression, which often develops between ages 15 and 30, runs in  the family. Teens with a family history of depression may be more likely to experience teen depression. It is advised to take your kids to see a doctor once you notice any signs of depression if there’s been a history of depression in the family.

Diagnosis 

No particular medical test exists that can identify depression. Psychological tests and interviews with the child, as well as their family, teachers, and peers, are used by healthcare specialists to evaluate whether a teen has depression.

Based on the evaluation of these interviews, the degree of teen depression and the risk of suicide are determined. Treatment suggestions are also given based on the information gathered from the interviews.

The doctor may also check for complex types of depression like bipolar disorder (manic depressive disease) or psychosis or search for indications of potentially co-occurring psychiatric illnesses like anxiety or substance addiction. The doctor will also evaluate the teen’s risk of suicide or homicide. While males are more likely to commit suicide, females are more likely to attempt suicide and engage in self-harm. The age range of 18 to 24 is one of the most at risk for attempting a suicide.

Possible warning signs for suicide in teens

Teenage suicide is a significant issue. Negative emotions and depression can be brought on by problems in the family, the death of a loved one, or the perception of failure in work, relationships, or school. Teenage depression is frequently the underlying factor for this desperate suicide attempt.

Watch out for

• Sign of hopelessness in teens
• Speaking little of themselves, like no one cares for them
• Preparing for death, like saying their goodbyes
• Drug abuse or misuse
• Acting violently
• Death threats on themselves

Treatments

• Educating young people and their families about various treatment choices.
• Creating a treatment strategy with precise objectives for how the patient will operate at home and school.
• Collaborating with community resources for mental health.
• Establishing a safety plan with actions to be performed if the teen’s symptoms worsen or if they have suicidal thoughts.
• Before starting further therapies, take active support and monitoring into consideration.
• If symptoms are moderate or severe, seeking out a mental health professional is advised.
• Utilizing proven methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and antidepressants.
• While taking antidepressants, it is important to continue monitoring symptoms and functioning. Doctors and family members should keep an eye out for any indicators of increasing symptoms and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Prevention of Depression in Teen 

There is no proven way to prevent depression in anyone, but a few strategies may help. Your teen should be inspired to:

• Make efforts to manage your stress, build your resilience, and raise your self-esteem to help you deal with problems as they come.
• Create a healthy sleep schedule and use gadgets sensibly and sparingly as examples of self-care.
• Befriend others and seek social support, especially during difficult times.
• As soon as a problem emerges, seek assistance to avoid depression from getting worse.
• Continue receiving treatment even after symptoms go away if advised to do so to help stop depression symptoms from reappearing.

Conclusion

Depression is a real thing, and mental health is quite important. If you are going through depression or know someone who is, try speaking up and getting help. No one deserves to be unhappy or feel alone, and if you feel this way to the point of having suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. Remember that you are not alone, and suicide is never the right choice.