Depression in Teenagers | Red Rock Canyon School

Depression in teenagers as presented by Red Rock Canyon School is characterized by a persistent sad mood, irritability, feelings of hopelessness or the inability to feel pleasure or happiness for an extended period of time—weeks, months or years. Occasional melancholy, bad moods and short periods of feeling down are common in adolescence. Major depression, however, limits an adolescent's ability to function normally. For more information contact Red Rock Canyon School at 1-866-452-8121

What are the symptoms of teenage depression?

Early symptoms of adolescent depression can be difficult to diagnose because they appear to be a normal part of the difficulties adolescents face. Depression may be indicated if an adolescent experiences an unusual degree of the following symptoms:

• changes in eating and sleeping habits (eating and sleeping too much or too little)
• significant weight gain or loss
• missed school, poor school performance and/or a sudden decline in grades
• withdrawal from friends and family
• no longer enjoying activities that were once pleasurable
• indecision, lack of concentration, or forgetfulness
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• overreaction to criticism, irritability
• feeling that nothing is worth the effort
• frequent health complaints when no physical ailment exists
• anger, rage, anxiety
• lack of enthusiasm and motivation
• drug/alcohol abuse, thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, delusions or hallucinations can indicate extreme depression, with particular risk for suicide.

What are the effects of depression in teenagers?

Many teen behaviors or attitudes that are annoying to adults are actually indications of depression:

• Drug and alcohol use – depressed teens often use substances in an attempt to self-medicate their symptoms
• Low self-esteem – depression can intensify feelings of ugliness and unworthiness
• Eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression
• Self injury – cutting, burning, head banging, or other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression
• Acting out – depression in teenagers may appear as agitation, aggression, or high risk behaviors rather than—or in addition to—gloominess
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts – teens who are seriously depressed or despondent often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide, which should be taken seriously