Every teen experiences mood swings and periods of sadness. It can be difficult to recognize the difference between a normal adolescent coping with stress and a teen who's depressed. Teens who suffer from depression find that they're sad more than they're happy. They usually have problems at school, and their relationships suffer.
Signs and Symptoms
The major sign of teen depression is a persistent irritable or sad mood. Other symptoms of teenage depression include hopelessness, isolation from friends and family, loss of pleasure, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, trouble concentrating, fatigue and restlessness, according to Helpguide.org. A teen who's experiencing depression might skip school, receive lower grades, get into arguments with friends and family members or start abusing substances.
Causes
TeensHealth reports that there isn't one single cause of depression. Scientists and researchers believe that a combination of factors leads to depression. Those factors include genetics, family history of mental illness, medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, family issues, trouble with peers and significant life events. Medline Plus reports that teens who are bullied, have experienced abuse, have learning disabilities and have poor social skills are more at risk for developing depression.
Effects
When a teen doesn't receive effective treatment for depression, many negative consequences can occur. For instance, the teen might run away which, according to Helpguide.org, is a cry for help. The teen might fail his classes and have to repeat his grade, lowering his self-esteem even further. Some depressed teens become violent, hurt themselves or engage in reckless behavior. They might have unprotected sex, use large quantities of drugs to self-medicate or drink and drive.
Treatment Options
The two main treatment options for teen depression include medication and psychotherapy. The most common type of medication prescribed for adolescent depression is SSRIs. The only antidepressants approved by the FDA to treat teen depression are Prozac and Lexapro, according to Medline Plus. All antidepressants come with a warning that the medication may increase thoughts of suicide in children and teens, so teens who take these medications need close medical monitoring.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and family therapy are common types of therapy used in treating teen depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapists work with depressed teens to help them understand how their thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors. Family therapy is often an integral part of the treatment, because parents play a large role in the teen's ability to cope with depression. Many times, issues at home increase symptoms of depression. In family therapy, everyone works to improve communication.
Warning
Teen depression increases the risk of suicide. Helpguide.org reports that signs that a teen is having suicidal ideation include talking about death, joking about killing oneself, writing or drawing about death, saying goodbye to loved ones, giving away prized possessions, and obtaining the objects to kill oneself, such as collecting pills or buying a gun. Teens who are experiencing thoughts of suicide need immediate professional help. Parents who believe their teens are at risk for suicide can call the police or take their teens to their local psychiatric emergency room for immediate assistance.
