5 Signs Your Adolescent is Dealing with Depression

Raging hormones and mood swings are a normal part of adolescence, but if your teen constantly has a case of “the blues,” you may worry it’s more than typical emotional ups and downs. 

Our experienced pediatricians specialize in adolescent health at Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics, including diagnosing and treating teenage depression. Keep reading to learn five telltale signs of depression and what to do if your child’s at risk. 

5 common symptoms of depression in teenagers

All teenagers experience strong emotions occasionally, but certain symptoms may indicate depression, including:

1. Lasting feelings of sadness

Adolescence is tough. Finding a balance between school work, extracurricular activities, friendships, and romantic relationships is tough for anyone, but hormones are even more challenging. That’s not even considering social media and its effect on mental well-being.

Occasional sadness is normal, given these factors. However, if your teen’s symptoms last more than a week, or shift from sadness to hopelessness or despair, identifying the cause is crucial.

2. Withdrawal from social activities

Many teens enjoy socializing with friends at school and on the weekend. These interactions serve several purposes, helping them navigate relationships, blow off steam, and prepare for adulthood.

While kids with social anxiety may have fewer friends, peer relationships are a healthy part of growing up, so it’s normal to worry if your child starts withdrawing. Although teens often pull away from their parents, if that distance extends to their friend circle, it could be depression, especially if the lack of social interaction occurs alongside other symptoms, like poor sleep and loss of appetite. 

3. Changes in sleep

The National Sleep Foundation says teens need 8-10 hours of sleep each night. If your child keeps a busy schedule, this goal can be hard to achieve, but it can also help you gauge if something is wrong. Research shows that up to 72% of teens with major depression also experience sleep disturbances, like insomnia. 

Unfortunately, a lack of sleep can worsen your child’s symptoms. Without adequate rest and rejuvenation, it becomes harder to regulate emotions. Partnering with a qualified pediatrician can help your child develop better sleep hygiene and improve their overall well-being.

4. Changes in eating

During adolescence, many kids begin establishing a more independent relationship with food. For example, your child might start packing their lunch or going off campus to eat with friends. If they’re on the wrestling team, they might avoid certain foods to stay within their chosen weight class. 

These changes are normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you notice your teen rapidly gaining or losing weight or becoming obsessive about counting calories or looking in the mirror, don’t be afraid to bring it up. Research shows that teens with depression are four times more likely to develop an eating disorder. 

5. Thoughts of self-harm

Teenagers experiencing depression often isolate themselves and may turn to cutting or other forms of self-harm to express the feelings they’ve bottled up inside. These signs can be challenging to identify since most kids try to cover them up, but there are things to watch out for. 

For example, has your child started wearing only long sleeves, even when the weather is warm outside? Maybe you’ve noticed unexplained bruises, cuts, or scratches on their arms and legs. These signs may be cause for concern and merit an appointment with your pediatrician.

Schedule a depression screening for your teen

If your teen exhibits any of these five signs, don’t wait to schedule a depression screening. Various treatments, including prescription medication and counseling, can help stop depression from worsening and improve your child’s outlook and quality of life. Contact Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics in Atlanta, Georgia, today. Call the office or use the online booking feature to make an appointment.