Signs of Depression in Teens and How You Can Help

Does your teen seem to be struggling emotionally? Are you demonstrating signs of depression in teens, such as acting unusually irritable, moody, prone to angry outbursts, engaging in reckless behavior, or withdrawing from friends and family? It could be a cry for help; an attempt to communicate feelings they are unable to verbalize.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Adolescence is an unsettling season of major physical and hormonal changes, as well as identity issues, all of which can lead to emotional upheaval and make it harder for teens to cope with stress. Author Walt Mueller refers to this time of fluctuations and ups and downs as “the earthquake of adolescence.”

Depression in teens is a serious mental health condition that affects how your teen thinks, feels, and acts. Sometimes it can be the result of a chemical imbalance or medical condition. Either way, it should not be taken lightly or dismissed. Depression is not something your teen can just snap out of, and left untreated, it can become life-threatening. Prompt, professional treatment is key to recovery.

Signs of depression in teens.

Low self-esteem.

Depressed teens tend to put themselves down and feel insignificant, inadequate, and/or rejected.

Sadness or anger that doesn’t go away.

Depressed teens may seem continually sad or angry.

Self-criticism.

Teens suffering from depression are often fixated on past shortcomings and may have an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame over things that aren’t their fault. They may frequently blame or criticize themselves for perceived failures.

Changes in sleep patterns.

Depressed teens may exhibit changes in sleep patterns such as disturbed sleep, inability to sleep, or sleeping too much.

Changes in eating habits.

Teens struggling with depression may experience significant changes in their normal eating habits, such as increased or decreased appetite accompanied by weight gain or loss.

Frequent unexplained aches and pains.

Teens suffering from depression may complain of frequent aches and pains such as headaches or stomachaches that have no apparent medical cause.

Substance use.

Depressed teens often turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope and numb their emotional pain.

Suicidal thoughts.

Teens struggling with depression may feel like life is grim and the future is bleak, and talk or joke about wanting to die. They may also do things like write poems or stories with a death theme, or text or post on social media that they are thinking about committing suicide.

Sensitivity to criticism.

Teens who are depressed often feel worthless, which makes them more sensitive to perceived criticism or rejection.

Trouble concentrating.

Depressed teens often have trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions, which can lead to problems at school such as cutting classes, frustration with schoolwork, or slipping grades.

Apathy.

Teens struggling with depression often have little energy or motivation to do much of anything, and may lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Self-harm.

Self-harm behaviors such as cutting and burning are among the most common symptoms of depression in teens.

If your teen occasionally displays one or two symptoms but then bounces back to normal it is most likely not a cause for concern. If, however, the symptoms last for longer than two or three weeks and start to interfere with their life, they should not be ignored.

Things you can do to help your depressed teen.

Open the door for tough conversations.

Learn about the signs of depression so you can ask the right questions to open the door for tough conversations that enable you to see what’s going on in your teen’s heart and what he or she is struggling with.

Listen with empathy.

Don’t minimize or pooh-pooh what your teen is feeling. Let them know that you take their feelings seriously and want to understand what’s troubling them. Listen without judging, making suggestions, trying to problem solve or fix, and respond empathetically. Empathy conveys love and acceptance when your teen may need it the most.

Accept your teen as they are.

Avoid judging or criticizing your teen. Make sure they know you love them unconditionally and work on strengthening your relationship. Try to understand what they may be going through by putting yourself in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective.

Help your teen work through their feelings.

Don’t pressure your teen to open up and talk to you, but when they do, be genuinely supportive. Hold back from lecturing or asking a lot of questions. Simply listen, and reflect to them what they may be feeling. Let your teen know that it’s okay to feel deeply, and respect their experience even if you don’t understand it or agree with it.

Don’t take your teen’s choices personally.

A depressed teen is a teen who is hurting and in need of help.

Normalize depression.

Talk openly to your teen about mental health. Let them know that depression is not their fault, that it’s not a weakness or something they can overcome with willpower, and that they are not weird or the only one who struggles with signs of depression in teens.

Encourage self-care.

Encourage your teen to eat a nutritious diet, keep a regular sleep schedule, cut back on time spent on social media, and do some form of regular exercise, even if it’s just going for a daily walk.

Accentuate the positive.

Depression can make doing even little things more difficult to accomplish. Make a point of noticing and acknowledging the positive things your teen does, no matter how small they may be. When disciplining them, use positive reinforcement for good behavior rather than shaming them for what they do wrong.

Pray.

Pray for and with your teen and encourage them to reach out to God with their prayers as well.

Encourage your teen to join a support group.

Support groups can help your teen connect with and learn from other teenagers struggling with similar challenges and signs of depression in teens.

Seek professional help.

Counseling provides a safe space where your teen can learn to understand, process, and manage their moods and feelings under the guidance of a trained mental health professional.

Effective therapies for depression in teens.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, helps teens explore, understand, and manage the troublesome events and feelings that are causing them pain and equips them with healthy coping skills.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens identify, challenge, and replace unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that are reinforcing their depression, and start looking for the positives in life.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy helps teens recognize unhealthy behaviors they are using to cope with deeper issues and teaches them how to modify them.

Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation helps teens understand how their brain works, why they are depressed, and how changing their thought processes can improve their well-being.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 

Acceptance and commitment therapy helps teens increase psychological flexibility, resilience, and their ability to stay in the moment by combining acceptance and mindfulness strategies with commitment and behavior change strategies.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal therapy focuses on helping your teen understand and work through troubled relationships that may be contributing to their depression, improve communication skills, change problem behaviors, and learn how to improve the way they relate to others.

Family Counseling

Family counseling can help family members identify family dynamics that may be contributing to signs of depression in teens in the family and show them how to better support them.

Get started.

If you would like to set up a risk-free appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in our online directory, don’t hesitate to give us a call.