Is your Teen Actually Depressed?

It’s hard to tell the difference between typical teen mood swings and depression. Your teen will feel sad or want to isolate themselves at times, or their behavior could be a sign of something more serious. Recognizing depression in your teen will allow you to get them much-needed help. It may be hard to distinguish the difference between typical teen behavior and indicators of depression. To provide clarity, ask yourself the following questions about your teen:

1. Is your teen sleeping more than usual?
   Depression can cause fatigue and lack of energy. If you're concerned that they may be depressed, pay attention to your teen’s sleeping habits and see if they’ve diverged from their normal routine. Does your teen seem sluggish throughout the day? Are they having trouble getting out of bed in the morning? An apparent change in your teen’s ability to sleep, tendency to oversleep, or general sleeping habits may be indicative of a mental health issue.

2. Has your teen withdrawn from friends and family?
   Teens with depression typically begin to isolate themselves from significant relationships and life events. Is your teen less willing to be social? Do you find that they tend to seclude themselves in their bedroom hours at a time all of a sudden? If you are noticing your teen is becoming less interested in friends or activities, it might be helpful to start a conversation around it.

3. Has your teen lost a significant amount of weight?
   With depression, it is common to experience drastic changes in appetite and/or weight. Has your teen been skipping meals or has been unwilling to join family dinner? Have they lost a significant amount of weight? Being aware of this specific change in your teen’s routine is critical.

4. Has your teen lost interest in his or her hobbies or activities?
   If your teen no longer finds excitement or enjoyment in the hobbies and activities that once brought them joy, it may be a sign of depression. A lack of motivation to engage in routine behaviors should be monitored.

5. Has your teen become a pessimist?
   Another symptom of depression is the development of a negative view of life and the world, as well as a sense of hopelessness or worthlessness. Be mindful of your teen’s language, the quality of your teen’s self-image, and if he or she has adopted a pessimistic way of thinking. 

Although the aforementioned symptoms are not definitively indicative of depression, it is important to keep them in mind if you’re concerned about your teen’s wellbeing. Your teen may not know how to ask for help or they may not be fully aware of what may be going on. Consider these common signs of depression in teens as you monitor their behavior, and be sure to seek help from a mental health professional, if needed.