10 Symptoms and Causes of Depression in Teens

10 Symptoms and Causes of Depression in Teens

Depression is an intense silent scream. The person experiencing it might not even be aware sometimes that, that is what they are going through. Parents and loved ones can look at these signs and symptoms to check for depression in teens. Suicides in teens can be avoided when you see these symptoms and provide love and guidance. Teenage is a challenging phase where there is peer pressure and the need to fit in. Mood swings, irritability, and unhappiness when they happen over a period of time lead to depression. You can provide support and counseling and let the life of your teen be back on track. Depression in teens is a common problem that needs to be tackled by providing support on various occasions and keep your teen in check.

Signs of depression in teens include sadness, mood swings, loss of interest in activities, emotional instability, and physical problems. Recognize these symptoms early to find a cure.

Cause of depression

Abuse of any kind, emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse can lead to depression. Nervous system is directly associated with depression. Neurotransmitter that are responsible for brain chemistry when perform abnormally or are impaired, it leads to depression. Childhood trauma that is left untreated also leads to depression and anxiety.

If the person has negative thinking patterns it leads to depression. Hormonal changes can also trigger depression in teenagers.

Emotional changes and symptoms

Feeling hopeless, empty, feeling the void, and emotional numbness are one of the signs of depression in teens. It also includes showing frustration and anger even in minor issues. Most of the emotional problems lead to low self esteem. If your teen is feeling worthless, losing interest in activities that they once like, you need to have an open and a deeper conversation with them. If your needs a lot of reassurance and is overly sensitive, you need to check the root cause of these symptoms. Teens deal with a lot of pressure at that age and it spirals down to depression. These lows stay longer and get worse if left unchecked. Look into the emotional and mental well being of your teenager to know what causes depression in teens.

Changes in behaviour

When you doubt that your teen is using alcohol or drug, immediately intervene and sort help and counseling. Escapist tendencies lead to drug and alcohol addictions in teenage life. If your teenage child is acting aloof and feeling isolated, this is another sign of depression. Lack of social life can add to the troubles. Address issues when you see symptoms. Anxiety and depression in teens are common and must not be left unchecked.

Irritability or restlessness

If your adolescent child is behaving restless or agitated, this is another sign of depression. If your child is unable to sit still and is acting restless, this is a clear sign of depression. Check their body movements if they are too slow. If your child has been a sharp and an active child, slowness in thinking and actions is a symptom that something is affecting them at a subconscious level.

Symptoms of depression in teens also include angry outbursts and acting out. There are various types of depression in a teen that you can analyse and remedy. Check for bipolar and manic symptoms. They can give you cues to give them right kind of treatment. If there are headaches and unexplained body aches, the problems could be deeper than physical problems.

Neglect in grooming and appearance

This is a dead giveaway of depression in teens. Teenage is one of the most exciting stages in life. Wanting to look good and to keep up with trends is what a teen likes to do. A teenager ignoring their appearance and not appearing well groomed has a problems that needs to be addressed. It shows lack of interest in themselves which is a sign of depression.

Drop in academic performance

If your teenage has dropped grades who once did well, that is a sign of depression. Bipolar depression in teens can be tested through the highs and lows. They can be hyperactive and drop their energy levels all of a sudden. If this is not what normally happens with your teenager who has been performing well, you need check for reasons and facts causing it at an emotional and mental level.

Suicide attempts and sad music

Rock music is associated with depression, because the lyrics have melancholy, sadness, and feelings of despair written all over. If you see marks of physical self-harm like cuts and bruises, you need to take immediate help for your teenager. Talk to them and check what is overwhelming them. Let them feel liberated to say what they have to say and let it out of their system.

Sleeping too much or being an insomniac

Abnormal sleep patterns is a sign in adolescent depression that must not be ignored. If your teenager is sleeping for long hours that does not mean they are being lazy. It is a sign that they lack interest in general day to day activities in life. Help them come out of their shell and involve them in fun activities.

Fixated attitude and extreme sensitivity

A well balanced mind knows to tackle challenging emotions. Your teen needs counseling and help if they are unable to tackle problems with emotions and challenges that one faces in life. If they show extreme sensitivity or a fixated attitude towards past failures or feel ashamed or guilty, this is a symptom of depression and not a part of their individuality.

Catastrophic thinking and grimness

If losing a sense of hope and feeling doomed is frequently observed in your teenager, you must know that this is the sign of depression. You need to find ways to instill positivity in their life and guide them to look at the silver lining.

Trouble concentrating and in thinking

Teenagers who have trouble concentrating and focusing on their everyday activity and work are showing signs of depression. Something inside their mind is troubling them and this needs to be addressed.

Withdrawal symptoms and irresponsible behavior

A teenager that is withdrawing from friends and family is showing signs of depression. If they have been skipping school, are being late, not showing regard for social obligations, and have negative thinking patterns, check them for guidance and counseling. Teenage problems must be addressed with caution or care as they get make them messier adults.