Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

As mental health becomes less stigmatized, more people are opening up about their struggles with problems like depression, including teens and adolescents. Depression in teens is a serious mental health disorder that can lead to many troublesome symptoms and consequences if left untreated.

If you are worried that your child has a problem with depression, call Nexus Teen Academy today and learn about our residential depression treatment center for teens in Arizona.

What is Depression?

Depression, also referred to as clinical depression and major depressive disorder, is a mood and mental health disorder. It often disrupts a person’s life and alters how they feel, think, and act, causing problems for day-to-day activities like sleeping or eating.

Depression in Teens

While teenagers often go through stages of moodiness, depression is a different beast. Characterized by intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness, teens experiencing depression are at risk of many other problems related to this mental health disorder.

Teen Depression Statistics

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression affects 4.4% of all teens, about 2.7 million people. The problem becomes more dire when looking closer:

Over 15% of teens had a major depressive episode
Almost half of children with depression also experience behavioral problems
Over 2/3 of teens experienced consistent feelings of hopelessness
Nearly 3/4 of children with depression also experience anxiety

Depression is one of the most commonly reported mental health problems among teens today.

Who is At Risk of Teen Depression?

Depression in adolescence can be caused by many factors including:

Traumatic or stressful events
Hormones and hormonal changes
Genetics

Teenage depression can occur at any time but can be initiated by many things including disruption in the family unit, low self-esteem, learning disabilities, other mental illnesses, social conflicts, and more. If you think that your teen may be dealing with depression, don’t hesitate. Call our team today and get the treatment process started.

Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Teens

If you are worried about your loved one and think they may be dealing with major depressive disorder, there are some things that you can look for to help you determine if your teen may need help.

Common Signs of Depression in Teens

Depression can happen quickly, but if you can recognize some early signs of the problem you may be able to get help before it exacerbates into something more serious.

Some other early signs of teen depression can include:

Difficulty sleeping (waking too early or oversleeping)
Changes in appetite that lead to weight changes
Becoming more withdrawn
Increased isolation from family or friends
Decreased interest in school and dropping grades

Spotting these early signs can help you recognize a problem starting to develop

Teen Depression Symptoms

When the problem has intensified, depression symptoms in teens can become scarier. Some of these symptoms include:

Complete loss of interest in hobbies and activities
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating
Increased anger, especially at minor things
Intense sadness
Substance abuse
Suicidal ideation
Suicide attempts

While some of these symptoms may not always be easily noticeable, if you think there is a problem it is best to speak up or seek the help of a professional. Teens and adolescents can be hard to read, but getting them to talk about their struggles can be a good first step for starting the healing process.

Goals of Depression Treatment for Teens

The goals for depression treatment will vary from person to person, but generally they include:

Improving Relationships

Depression is something that often affects a person’s social relationships, one treatment goal is to rebuild and revitalize these relationships with family, friends, and other peers.

Addressing Trauma

Trauma can often be a root cause for teens struggling with depression, treatment will work to address this trauma and develop strategies to cope and overcome these problems.

Reducing Depressive Symptoms

Symptoms of depression can be debilitating, addressing the symptoms of depression can help identify the root of the problem and make the treatment process easier in general.

Providing Ongoing Coping Strategies

Teens in a depression treatment program should work with health professionals and clinicians to develop coping strategies they can use when they start feeling periods of depression. This will help them even after leaving a treatment program.

Adolescent Residential Treatment Centers for Depression in Arizona

If left untreated, depression can lead to several problems that may follow your loved one through life. At Nexus, we have inpatient depression treatment for teens at our Cave Creek, Arizona location.

Our Residential Treatment Program

Nexus Teen Academy is a 30-day program that offers 24/7 care to teens struggling with depression as well as other overlapping mental health disorders. Our mental health program for teens in Arizona offers an array of therapies and experiential treatment options to help those affected by trauma and depressive symptoms.

At Nexus, we will work to help your teen overcome depression as well as screen for and treat various other health disorders including:

PTSD
Anxiety
Substance Abuse
Suicidal Ideation and more

At our Arizona residential adolescent depression treatment program, we want to ensure your family still feels a part of the treatment process. To do this, we have family time every Saturday for parents and other family members to see and spend time with their teens as they work through our treatment program.

Therapies & Medication for Depression

Depression can be addressed through various talk therapies and, in some cases, medication options.

At Nexus Teen Academy, we utilize numerous individual and group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavior therapy to help clients address the root of their problems and work to overcome them.

Antidepressants are also an option for some individuals. However, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis as antidepressants can be abused.

Depression Treatment for Teens in Arizona at Nexus Teen Academy

If your teen is dealing with a depressive disorder, our team at Nexus Teen Academy has the tools and knowledge to help. At Nexus, we offer a full range of therapeutic modalities and evidence-based treatment options to provide all our clients with the structure and support they need to work through these problems. At our teen residential facility for depression, your teen can recover in a comfortable and serene location as they work through the root causes of their struggles.

If you would like to learn more about our Arizona depression treatment center for teens, contact our team today and we can walk you through the treatment process.

Private Insurance Plans Accepted

We work with most major insurance providers. You can confidentially check to see if your treatment is covered by insurance. Our admissions experts are here to guide you through the process.

Teen Depression FAQs

Why are Teens so Depressed?

Teen depression can be caused by many things like problems at school, hormonal changes, feeling that they aren’t supported, genetics, diseases, family conflicts, and more. With mental health becoming less stigmatized over the past few decades, teens and younger people are willing to be more open about their struggles.

What Percentage of Teens Have Depression?

Approximately 4.4% of children have depression, with 15.1% of teens experiencing a past-year depressive episode.