5 Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling with Depression

Our teen years are naturally a major transitional phase of human development. It's very often during this time that there may be a noticeable loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, changes in appetite or weight loss or gain, and very often changes in their disposition—the mood swings. Hormones may account for these personal changes, however, sometimes there is a more concerning nature to these behaviors. Being able to recognize symptoms of depression in teenagers can be challenging, due to the fact that symptoms will be different for teens than for adults. Do you really know what depression looks like? There are times when signs of teen depression may appear to be typical adolescent behavior, yet are actually indicators to find help from a mental health professional. Early intervention can help to make a difference in diagnosis, treatment, and a mental health wellness plan. Whenever you're in doubt—reach out. Professional resources and help are available for anyone looking for mental health care. Here are five common signs that your teen may be struggling with depression.

Thank you to the promotional team for NeuroStar for the courtesy of an invitation to an informative event for editorial content purposes. This content may contain affiliate links.

Medical Disclaimer - Information on this site is provided as an awareness resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific condition.

This content may contain affiliate links.

5 Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling with Depression

As we may have noticed from observations or recall from our youth, teenagers are notorious for unexpected mood swings as their body's response to hormonal fluctuations. While a little moodiness may be unwelcomed yet understandable, ongoing feelings of sadness, irritability, or feeling hopeless may be cause for concern.

Often preferring to enjoy the allure of late nights, early morning routines are often not fun times with a teen. Sleep disturbances such as difficulty sleeping or excessively sleeping may be attributed to more than not getting adequate sleep at night. Schedule an appointment with a health care professional if signs of fatigue or a ongoing pattern of lack of energy are outside of typical behaviors.

Therapeutic Treatment 

Gaining in popularity, NeuroStar Advanced Therapy for Mental Health is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive, non-drug therapeutic treatment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target underactive areas of the brain, characteristic in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). FDA cleared as a first-line, add-on treatment for adolescent patients 15-21years of age to treat psychiatric disorders, including-

- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

- Anxious depression

As a therapeutic option, because NeuroStar is not a prescribed medication, side effects often associated with taking antidepressant medications aren't experienced. Treatment generally consists of a course of five days per week for four to six weeks at over 900 locations throughout the United States offering NeuroStar Advanced Therapy.

- Difficulty Concentrating

Overwhelming feeling of depression may become more prevalent as time passes, leaving teens to feel out of place, distracted, or overwhelmed. An indication of a more concerning issue may be intense feelings of worry or fear interfering with daily activities. If your teen is struggling with focusing on conversations or daily activities, decision-making abilities, or increasingly forgetful, it may be an ideal time to check in on their overall mental wellness.

- Feelings Worthless or Burdened

Learning to navigate through life's ups and downs may lead teens to accept accountability for circumstances beyond their control. Helping teens to understand situations which are within and beyond their control may help diminish feelings of self-criticism or guilt. 

- Social Withdrawal

We all have the need to be allowed to occupy our own personal space for self-care and recreation. More often than not, taking time for ourselves is a way to refuel our emotional and mental balance. Ask the question—How can I help you? Mean it when you say it, then be prepared to take action. Teens that are avoiding social interactions and isolating themselves may need the guidance of a mental health counselor to help them to work their way back into their  interpersonal relationships.

- Physical Symptoms

Mind-body connections are often the reason for frequent complaints of physical symptoms like difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, headaches, or stomach pain with no apparent cause other than stress or depression. Significant weight gain or weight loss may also be indicators of an underlying mental health condition.

- Thoughts Self-Harm or Death

Expressing thoughts or plans of dying, self-harm, or suicide are signs of a need to actively seek mental health care. Recognizing warning signs of depression and suicide in teens requires objective observation. Trust your instincts, seek professional intervention when warning signs or concerning behavior is observed. Don't ignore possible warning signs, consult an experienced crisis counselor for help immediately.

Where Can I Find Help?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, CALL 911

If you or someone you know need immediate help, there are people you can talk to and resources that can help-

Text - Crisis Text Line - 741741

If you or someone you know is considering suicide- 

Text/Call - Suicide + Crisis Lifeline - 988

Medical Disclaimer - The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

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