Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting over 8% of Americans annually. Additionally, 15% of youth are impacted by major depressive disorder, a condition that significantly affects a teenager’s overall well-being. Based on this worrying statistic, parents, caregivers, peers, and educators need to know when to seek help for their teenagers.
In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of depression, its risk factors, and when to get professional help. We will also highlight the benefit of professional intervention and our role in providing support to teenagers and families battling depression. If you are looking for help today, contact our team at Nexus Teen Academy today to learn more about our teen mental health program in Arizona.
Understanding Teen Depression
Teen depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects teenagers’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Depressed teenagers have a hard time associating with loved ones, are isolated, and may engage in substance abuse or self-harm as a maladaptive coping strategy. Depending on the severity, depression can be divided into two distinct types: major depressive disorder and dysthymia.
Major depressive disorder, popularly known as clinical depression, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or dissociation from enjoyable activities. It lasts two weeks, has intense symptoms, and may affect teenagers’ well-being. As opposed to clinical depression, dysthymia symptoms may last between 1 to 2 years, with milder symptoms building up over time. Teenagers may experience periods with major depressive symptoms followed by periods with milder symptoms.
Parents need to know how to determine teenagers’ normal mood swings from depression. As opposed to mood swings that last for a short period, depression symptoms may pan over a long period. They may affect teenagers’ daily lives, while mood swings do not have the same impact. Additionally, depression can cause severe emotional pain and distress atypical to normal teen mood swings.
Causes of Depression in Teens
Several factors may influence depression among teenagers, including:
Biological: Genetic predisposition plays an important role in teenage depression. Adolescents who have a family history of depression are at risk of being depressed due to the imbalanced neurotransmitter hormones.
Environmental: Teenagers exposed to stressful life events such as grief, loss, or violence are more likely to struggle with depression. Lack of emotional support from parents and caregivers may also trigger or exacerbate depression.
Psychological factors: Factors such as low self-worth, low self-confidence, or negative thought patterns are likely to trigger depression. Teenagers who struggle with peer pressure, bullying, or perfectionism tendencies are most vulnerable.
Why are Teens Vulnerable to Depression?
Teenage years are characterized by developing a sense of self, which may put a lot of pressure on teenagers. The pressure to fit in or to meet societal beauty standards can push a teenager into depression. Worrying about grades, completing assignments, and future university prospects can create emotional turmoil. These factors may lead to teenagers feeling misunderstood and isolated from their peers. The resulting emotional crisis may contribute to low self-worth, increasing the risk of developing depression.
Signs of Depression in Teen Girls
Depression in teen girls can manifest in various ways, often different from boys’ symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:
Body image issues can lead to increased preoccupation with body image, flaws, weight, and appearance
Low self-esteem triggered by feelings of guilt and shame
Constantly expressing sadness or crying regularly
Withdrawing from social interaction with peers, families, or friends
Displaying perfectionistic tendencies and judging themselves harshly when they don’t meet set targets
Signs of Depression in Teen Boys
Some common signs of depression among teenage boys include:
Exhibiting extreme signs of aggression and irritability over minor issues
Engaging in risky behavior such as drunk driving or punching through walls as a coping mechanism
Higher likelihood of substance abuse to cope with their overwhelming emotions
Frequent complaints about physical pain such as headaches, stomach aches,
Appearing detached or numb to emotions
Decline in academic performance, lack of interest in academics, and increase in disciplinary actions
Myths and Misconceptions About Teen Depression
Teen mental health disorders are often misunderstood, leading to myths and misconceptions. Here are some of the common teen depression myths:
Depression is an attention-seeking behavior: This harmful misconception can prevent teenagers from seeking the support they need. Depression is not a tactic to gain sympathy; teenagers with depression symptoms should be given immediate medical attention. Assumptions of these symptoms may lead to worsening symptoms and tragic outcomes.
Depression goes away with time: Depression does not go away with time. Failure to intervene early is likely to lead to worsening symptoms. If you notice your teenager portraying depression symptoms, get them professional help immediately.
Depression is normal mood swings: Most people believe that depression is normal teenage mood swings. Contrary to mood swings, depression affects teenagers’ overall well-being and has adverse health effects.
Only teenagers from broken homes have depression. The reality is depression can affect any person regardless of their family background or achievements.
Talking about depression makes it worse: There is fear that talking about depression may make it worse and more common. Reality is talking about it creates awareness and helps educate society on how to take care of depressed teens. It helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and encourages teenagers not to shy away from seeking help.
The Importance of Early Intervention for Teen Depression
Early intervention is beneficial for addressing depressive symptoms. If left untreated, they can have profound effects on a teenager’s mental health and overall well-being. It can lead to low academic performance, strained relationships, and isolating teenagers from loved ones and activities. Isolating from others can increase loneliness, which may exacerbate symptoms, leading teenagers to engage in harmful behavior such as drug abuse or self-harm as a coping mechanism.
Early intervention is effective for various reasons, including:
Improved outcomes: Early intervention prevents the worsening of depression symptoms. Treatment options like therapy and lifestyle adjustments like regular exercise, healthy diets, and good sleeping habits can facilitate healing.
Enhanced support systems: Early intervention facilitates education of family and friends on depression, the signs and symptoms, and how to take care of teenagers with depression. This creates a support system and a positive environment crucial for recovery.
Preventing long-term risks: Addressing depression early can prevent the worsening of symptoms. Teens who receive timely intervention are unlikely to develop co-occurring disorders.
Emotional Changes from Teen Depression
One of the most common emotional changes in teenagers with depression is persistent sadness or hopelessness. Unlike normal sorrow, which is short-lived, depressed teenagers may be sad for months and weeks without improvement. They may talk about how hopeless life is, wishing to end it once and for all. Due to the sadness, teenagers with depression may isolate themselves, withdrawing from activities and hobbies they once enjoyed.
Irritability and Anger
Depression can manifest in teenagers through increased irritability and anger. They may have anger outbursts or be frustrated over little things. They pick arguments with families and friends over minor issues that can be solved over a simple dialogue. Unlike normal irritability that wanes with time, teenagers with depression may experience irritability over a long duration of time. It may take weeks, months, and years, getting worse and more intense with time. In contrast to normal irritability, depression irritability can occur without any triggers. They may be more intense, often accompanied by other symptoms of depression such as self-harm.
Behavioral Changes from Teen Depression
One of the most noticeable signs of teen depression is the changes in behaviors. They often manifest through withdrawal from friends and families and losing interest in hobbies and activities.
Withdrawal from Friends and Family
Teenagers with depression tend to isolate themselves from their friends and families. They may display avoidance behaviors, such as limiting spending time with their friends and families. They may withdraw from hobbies and activities they previously enjoyed. Communication between their friends and families may be limited to one-word or no replies. Unlike normal teenage withdrawal, which is seasonal, depression withdrawal is a consistent pattern of avoiding social interactions. It may affect teenagers’ daily functioning.
Loss of Interest in Activities
Teenagers may stop participating in activities and hobbies they once enjoyed. They may lack enthusiasm, consistently complaining about how boring it is. This can lead teenagers to isolate themselves from friends, families, and peers. They may show less enthusiasm for their grades, leading to low academic performance and fallout with their educators. Additionally, isolation may have a profound effect on teenagers’ emotional health, leading to worsening of depression symptoms.
Physical Symptoms of Teen Depression
Physical signs of teen depression may manifest in changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Teenagers battling depression may experience a shift in their sleeping habits. They may experience insomnia, sleep through the night, or have trouble falling asleep after waking up. Teenagers may also oversleep, finding it impossible to stay awake during the day. These changes in sleep patterns can have adverse effects, including cognitive defects. Lack of enough sleep may affect the normal functioning of the body. They may get grumpy due to lack of sleep, leading to emotional dysregulation. Additionally, teenagers can experience chronic health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and kidney failure.
Appetite and Weight Changes
Teen depression can lead to appetite and weight changes. Some teenagers can lose interest in food, leading to massive weight loss. Others may resort to binge eating on sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods, leading to an enormous weight gain. If these symptoms are left untreated, they may lead to eating disorders.
Cognitive Symptoms of Teen Depression
One significant symptom of teen depression is difficulty concentrating. Teenagers may exhibit symptoms like forgetfulness, distraction, and struggling to complete assignments and tasks. This can impact their academic performances, leading to poor grades and difficulty keeping up with school work. They may fail to excel in their daily chores that require focus, such as driving, making chores feel tedious, boring, and overwhelming.
Indecisiveness and Forgetfulness
Teen depression can impair a teenager’s ability to make informed decisions. Deciding on what to do, what to wear, or when to socialize can feel daunting and overwhelming. Due to their inability to choose, they may procrastinate on issues, pushing them further into the future. This cycle of postponing actions may create more stress and anxiety.
Forgetfulness in daily life can be caused by missing medical appointments and assignments for school. Teenagers may misplace items, not remembering where they keep them. Forgetfulness can also make it difficult for teenagers to follow instructions, leading to conflict between family, friends, and peers.
Self-Worth Issues Associated with Teen Depression
Self-worth issues are a common sign and symptoms among depressed teenagers and can immensely affect their mental health. Teenagers may struggle with feelings of worthlessness and guilt. They may battle self-critical thoughts, believing they are incapable, worthy, or enough. Teenagers may blame themselves for minor mistakes, punishing themselves for not treating set expectations. This may lead teenagers to isolate themselves from activities they enjoy due to the fear of failure.
Negative Self-Talk
Negative self-talk involves teenagers’ customary practice of saying degrading or negative things about themselves. They may start catastrophizing, thinking only of the worst possible scenarios. They may label themselves as failures, overgeneralizing their flaws based on a few failed attempts. To address these negative self-perceptions, Nexus Teen Academy encourages strategies like cognitive restructuring, positive affirmations, and self-compassion. We teach teenagers that everybody makes mistakes and they are worth more than negative thoughts.
Teen Depression & Risk-Taking Behaviors
The emotional turmoil that teenagers with depression experience often pushes them to develop coping skills. Some may opt for negative coping skills such as substance abuse and reckless behavior as a switch for emotional pain.
Substance Use
This is the most common risk-taking behavior that teenagers with depression use as an emotional relief. You may notice sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from family and friends or engaging in suspicious activities. They may display physical signs such as blood clot eyes, staggering, or unexplained injuries. You may find drugs or substances among their possessions since most teenagers use drugs as self-medication. Drugs alleviate symptoms of guilt and hopelessness, but continuous usage may have drastic effects on the teenager’s mental and overall health. Social pressure may also push teenagers to substance abuse due to the desire to fit in and not appear aloof.
Reckless Behavior
Reckless behavior may manifest in drunk driving, stealing, or participating in risky sports. Since depression is associated with hopelessness, these behaviors can give teenagers the adrenaline rush they are craving. However, they are usually a cry for their caregivers to get them the professional help they need.
Talking About Death or Suicide
Depression takes a toll on a teenager’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They may consider life worthless and hopeless, which may lead to verbal talks of death or suicide.
Expressing Thoughts of Death
Talking about death is one of the most serious signs of depression. Teenagers expressing that they wish they were dead should not be taken lightly. They may also show nonverbal cues such as isolating from loved ones, giving away their belongings, or being overly affectionate. They may start having an unreal calmness after having periods of angry outbursts and irritability. If you notice such signs from your teenagers, get them immediate help. Instead of panicking, ask them why they plan on ending their lives and if they already have a plan. Visit your nearest mental health institution or hospital for a prognosis.
Suicidal Ideation
Thoughts about death can be fleeting, or teenagers may have clearly defined steps and plans on how to end their lives. If your teenager expresses their desire for suicide or is talking excessively about death, monitor them constantly. Remove anything from the home environment that may facilitate the suicide. Get professional help from a mental health institution or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or texting 988. You can also call 911 if you need immediate assistance.
Seeking Help and Support for Teen Depression
It is important to seek professional help for teenagers displaying signs and symptoms of depression. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer mental health services to teenagers and their families. We work to ensure teenagers are provided with the strategies they need for better treatment outcomes.
Talking to Teens About Depression
Approaching conversations about depression may be difficult. Here are some tips to try:
Choose an appropriate location: Choose an area free from noise and distractions. This will facilitate the discussion without worrying about any possible distractions.
Open communication: Speak to your teenager and allow them to ask questions. Use polite and sensitive language; do not interrupt your teenager as he speaks.
Active listening: Listen to your teenager’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences without interruption. Ask questions in case of any after the need of the discussion.
Validate and empathize: Validate your teenager’s experiences. Show them empathy and remind them that you see and care for their well-being.
Professional Help and Resources
Professional help is important for the many benefits it provides to teenagers with depression. It exposes teenagers to therapeutic modalities that help alleviate symptoms of depression. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). We offer individual, group, and family therapy to ensure holistic recovery. We also offer several mental health resources and workshops on teen mental health. Other resources on teen depression are:
At Nexus Teen Academy, we use a comprehensive approach to treat teenagers’ depression. Our therapists work with teenagers to create personalized, holistic treatment plans promoting positive treatment outcomes. Some of the comprehensive treatment approaches include:
Evidence-based therapies: We offer traditional therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy to transform teenagers’ thought patterns
Individual therapy: Our therapists have one-on-one sessions with depressed teenagers to address their issues on a personal level. This session is aimed at teaching teenagers positive coping skills, stress management, and problem-solving skills
Group Therapy: Our group therapy sessions encourage teenagers to form social connections from similar experiences
Family Therapy: Our therapists work with the family to create a supportive home environment conducive to healing.
Educational support: Our teenagers going through residential treatment have tutors to help them catch up on their studies
Holistic therapies: We provide holistic therapies like mindfulness to promote overall well-being
Aftercare: We offer aftercare plans to encourage a smooth transition and avoid relapse after therapy.
Teen depression takes a toll on teenager’s mental, physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Parents and caregivers must educate themselves on the signs and symptoms to facilitate early intervention. If you notice any signs and symptoms discussed above on teenagers, ensure to get them the necessary help. At Nexus Teen Academy, we provide tailored support to facilitate better treatment outcomes. Contact us today and visit our website for more information and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is teenage depression a normal part of growing up?
No, teenage depression is not a normal part of growing up or mood swings, as some may assume. Teenagers showing signs of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, or worthlessness need immediate medical attention.
How can I tell the difference between teenage angst and depression?
Teenage angst is temporary and linked to specific events or changes, whereas depression involves prolonged periods of intense sadness. Depressed teenagers may show signs such as withdrawal, changes in sleep and appetite, and a significant impact on daily functioning.
What are some treatment options for teen depression?
Some of the treatment options for teen depression are
Psychotherapy: Therapeutic modes like Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and other forms of talk therapy.
Medication: Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, are prescribed by a healthcare professional.
How can I help my teen cope with depression at home?
Have open communication with your teenager, and encourage them to open up about their emotions. Help them establish a healthy routine that promotes healing and recovery. You should also ensure that they attend therapy and follow the prescribed dosage.
How can I support my teen emotionally after a diagnosis of depression?
Show your teenager empathy, stay involved in their treatment process, and encourage self-care. Ensure your teenager has a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices.
How can I prevent depression in my teens?
Foster a home environment where feelings and concerns can be discussed openly. Ensure they have a balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep. You should also monitor their stress levels and provide positive coping skills for stressful events.
What is the role of Nexus Teen Academy in supporting teens with depression?
We provide specialized programs designed to address the unique needs of teens with depression, including therapy, educational support, and coping strategies. We offer a safe and supportive environment to help teens navigate their mental health challenges and work toward recovery.
Recognizing the Most Common Signs of Depression in Teens
Published By nexus_admin
Published On December 9, 2024
Table of Contents
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting over 8% of Americans annually. Additionally, 15% of youth are impacted by major depressive disorder, a condition that significantly affects a teenager’s overall well-being. Based on this worrying statistic, parents, caregivers, peers, and educators need to know when to seek help for their teenagers.
In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of depression, its risk factors, and when to get professional help. We will also highlight the benefit of professional intervention and our role in providing support to teenagers and families battling depression. If you are looking for help today, contact our team at Nexus Teen Academy today to learn more about our teen mental health program in Arizona.
Understanding Teen Depression
Teen depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects teenagers’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Depressed teenagers have a hard time associating with loved ones, are isolated, and may engage in substance abuse or self-harm as a maladaptive coping strategy. Depending on the severity, depression can be divided into two distinct types: major depressive disorder and dysthymia.
Major depressive disorder, popularly known as clinical depression, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or dissociation from enjoyable activities. It lasts two weeks, has intense symptoms, and may affect teenagers’ well-being. As opposed to clinical depression, dysthymia symptoms may last between 1 to 2 years, with milder symptoms building up over time. Teenagers may experience periods with major depressive symptoms followed by periods with milder symptoms.
Parents need to know how to determine teenagers’ normal mood swings from depression. As opposed to mood swings that last for a short period, depression symptoms may pan over a long period. They may affect teenagers’ daily lives, while mood swings do not have the same impact. Additionally, depression can cause severe emotional pain and distress atypical to normal teen mood swings.
Causes of Depression in Teens
Several factors may influence depression among teenagers, including:
Why are Teens Vulnerable to Depression?
Teenage years are characterized by developing a sense of self, which may put a lot of pressure on teenagers. The pressure to fit in or to meet societal beauty standards can push a teenager into depression. Worrying about grades, completing assignments, and future university prospects can create emotional turmoil. These factors may lead to teenagers feeling misunderstood and isolated from their peers. The resulting emotional crisis may contribute to low self-worth, increasing the risk of developing depression.
Signs of Depression in Teen Girls
Depression in teen girls can manifest in various ways, often different from boys’ symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:
Signs of Depression in Teen Boys
Some common signs of depression among teenage boys include:
Myths and Misconceptions About Teen Depression
Teen mental health disorders are often misunderstood, leading to myths and misconceptions. Here are some of the common teen depression myths:
The Importance of Early Intervention for Teen Depression
Early intervention is beneficial for addressing depressive symptoms. If left untreated, they can have profound effects on a teenager’s mental health and overall well-being. It can lead to low academic performance, strained relationships, and isolating teenagers from loved ones and activities. Isolating from others can increase loneliness, which may exacerbate symptoms, leading teenagers to engage in harmful behavior such as drug abuse or self-harm as a coping mechanism.
Early intervention is effective for various reasons, including:
Emotional Changes from Teen Depression
One of the most common emotional changes in teenagers with depression is persistent sadness or hopelessness. Unlike normal sorrow, which is short-lived, depressed teenagers may be sad for months and weeks without improvement. They may talk about how hopeless life is, wishing to end it once and for all. Due to the sadness, teenagers with depression may isolate themselves, withdrawing from activities and hobbies they once enjoyed.
Irritability and Anger
Depression can manifest in teenagers through increased irritability and anger. They may have anger outbursts or be frustrated over little things. They pick arguments with families and friends over minor issues that can be solved over a simple dialogue. Unlike normal irritability that wanes with time, teenagers with depression may experience irritability over a long duration of time. It may take weeks, months, and years, getting worse and more intense with time. In contrast to normal irritability, depression irritability can occur without any triggers. They may be more intense, often accompanied by other symptoms of depression such as self-harm.
Behavioral Changes from Teen Depression
One of the most noticeable signs of teen depression is the changes in behaviors. They often manifest through withdrawal from friends and families and losing interest in hobbies and activities.
Withdrawal from Friends and Family
Teenagers with depression tend to isolate themselves from their friends and families. They may display avoidance behaviors, such as limiting spending time with their friends and families. They may withdraw from hobbies and activities they previously enjoyed. Communication between their friends and families may be limited to one-word or no replies. Unlike normal teenage withdrawal, which is seasonal, depression withdrawal is a consistent pattern of avoiding social interactions. It may affect teenagers’ daily functioning.
Loss of Interest in Activities
Teenagers may stop participating in activities and hobbies they once enjoyed. They may lack enthusiasm, consistently complaining about how boring it is. This can lead teenagers to isolate themselves from friends, families, and peers. They may show less enthusiasm for their grades, leading to low academic performance and fallout with their educators. Additionally, isolation may have a profound effect on teenagers’ emotional health, leading to worsening of depression symptoms.
Physical Symptoms of Teen Depression
Physical signs of teen depression may manifest in changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Teenagers battling depression may experience a shift in their sleeping habits. They may experience insomnia, sleep through the night, or have trouble falling asleep after waking up. Teenagers may also oversleep, finding it impossible to stay awake during the day. These changes in sleep patterns can have adverse effects, including cognitive defects. Lack of enough sleep may affect the normal functioning of the body. They may get grumpy due to lack of sleep, leading to emotional dysregulation. Additionally, teenagers can experience chronic health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and kidney failure.
Appetite and Weight Changes
Teen depression can lead to appetite and weight changes. Some teenagers can lose interest in food, leading to massive weight loss. Others may resort to binge eating on sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods, leading to an enormous weight gain. If these symptoms are left untreated, they may lead to eating disorders.
Cognitive Symptoms of Teen Depression
One significant symptom of teen depression is difficulty concentrating. Teenagers may exhibit symptoms like forgetfulness, distraction, and struggling to complete assignments and tasks. This can impact their academic performances, leading to poor grades and difficulty keeping up with school work. They may fail to excel in their daily chores that require focus, such as driving, making chores feel tedious, boring, and overwhelming.
Indecisiveness and Forgetfulness
Teen depression can impair a teenager’s ability to make informed decisions. Deciding on what to do, what to wear, or when to socialize can feel daunting and overwhelming. Due to their inability to choose, they may procrastinate on issues, pushing them further into the future. This cycle of postponing actions may create more stress and anxiety.
Forgetfulness in daily life can be caused by missing medical appointments and assignments for school. Teenagers may misplace items, not remembering where they keep them. Forgetfulness can also make it difficult for teenagers to follow instructions, leading to conflict between family, friends, and peers.
Self-Worth Issues Associated with Teen Depression
Self-worth issues are a common sign and symptoms among depressed teenagers and can immensely affect their mental health. Teenagers may struggle with feelings of worthlessness and guilt. They may battle self-critical thoughts, believing they are incapable, worthy, or enough. Teenagers may blame themselves for minor mistakes, punishing themselves for not treating set expectations. This may lead teenagers to isolate themselves from activities they enjoy due to the fear of failure.
Negative Self-Talk
Negative self-talk involves teenagers’ customary practice of saying degrading or negative things about themselves. They may start catastrophizing, thinking only of the worst possible scenarios. They may label themselves as failures, overgeneralizing their flaws based on a few failed attempts. To address these negative self-perceptions, Nexus Teen Academy encourages strategies like cognitive restructuring, positive affirmations, and self-compassion. We teach teenagers that everybody makes mistakes and they are worth more than negative thoughts.
Teen Depression & Risk-Taking Behaviors
The emotional turmoil that teenagers with depression experience often pushes them to develop coping skills. Some may opt for negative coping skills such as substance abuse and reckless behavior as a switch for emotional pain.
Substance Use
This is the most common risk-taking behavior that teenagers with depression use as an emotional relief. You may notice sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from family and friends or engaging in suspicious activities. They may display physical signs such as blood clot eyes, staggering, or unexplained injuries. You may find drugs or substances among their possessions since most teenagers use drugs as self-medication. Drugs alleviate symptoms of guilt and hopelessness, but continuous usage may have drastic effects on the teenager’s mental and overall health. Social pressure may also push teenagers to substance abuse due to the desire to fit in and not appear aloof.
Reckless Behavior
Reckless behavior may manifest in drunk driving, stealing, or participating in risky sports. Since depression is associated with hopelessness, these behaviors can give teenagers the adrenaline rush they are craving. However, they are usually a cry for their caregivers to get them the professional help they need.
Talking About Death or Suicide
Depression takes a toll on a teenager’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They may consider life worthless and hopeless, which may lead to verbal talks of death or suicide.
Expressing Thoughts of Death
Talking about death is one of the most serious signs of depression. Teenagers expressing that they wish they were dead should not be taken lightly. They may also show nonverbal cues such as isolating from loved ones, giving away their belongings, or being overly affectionate. They may start having an unreal calmness after having periods of angry outbursts and irritability. If you notice such signs from your teenagers, get them immediate help. Instead of panicking, ask them why they plan on ending their lives and if they already have a plan. Visit your nearest mental health institution or hospital for a prognosis.
Suicidal Ideation
Thoughts about death can be fleeting, or teenagers may have clearly defined steps and plans on how to end their lives. If your teenager expresses their desire for suicide or is talking excessively about death, monitor them constantly. Remove anything from the home environment that may facilitate the suicide. Get professional help from a mental health institution or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or texting 988. You can also call 911 if you need immediate assistance.
Seeking Help and Support for Teen Depression
It is important to seek professional help for teenagers displaying signs and symptoms of depression. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer mental health services to teenagers and their families. We work to ensure teenagers are provided with the strategies they need for better treatment outcomes.
Talking to Teens About Depression
Approaching conversations about depression may be difficult. Here are some tips to try:
Professional Help and Resources
Professional help is important for the many benefits it provides to teenagers with depression. It exposes teenagers to therapeutic modalities that help alleviate symptoms of depression. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). We offer individual, group, and family therapy to ensure holistic recovery. We also offer several mental health resources and workshops on teen mental health. Other resources on teen depression are:
Teen Depression Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
At Nexus Teen Academy, we use a comprehensive approach to treat teenagers’ depression. Our therapists work with teenagers to create personalized, holistic treatment plans promoting positive treatment outcomes. Some of the comprehensive treatment approaches include:
Teen depression takes a toll on teenager’s mental, physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Parents and caregivers must educate themselves on the signs and symptoms to facilitate early intervention. If you notice any signs and symptoms discussed above on teenagers, ensure to get them the necessary help. At Nexus Teen Academy, we provide tailored support to facilitate better treatment outcomes. Contact us today and visit our website for more information and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, teenage depression is not a normal part of growing up or mood swings, as some may assume. Teenagers showing signs of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, or worthlessness need immediate medical attention.
Teenage angst is temporary and linked to specific events or changes, whereas depression involves prolonged periods of intense sadness. Depressed teenagers may show signs such as withdrawal, changes in sleep and appetite, and a significant impact on daily functioning.
What are some treatment options for teen depression?
Some of the treatment options for teen depression are
Have open communication with your teenager, and encourage them to open up about their emotions. Help them establish a healthy routine that promotes healing and recovery. You should also ensure that they attend therapy and follow the prescribed dosage.
Show your teenager empathy, stay involved in their treatment process, and encourage self-care. Ensure your teenager has a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices.
Foster a home environment where feelings and concerns can be discussed openly. Ensure they have a balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep. You should also monitor their stress levels and provide positive coping skills for stressful events.
We provide specialized programs designed to address the unique needs of teens with depression, including therapy, educational support, and coping strategies. We offer a safe and supportive environment to help teens navigate their mental health challenges and work toward recovery.