Knowing the signs and symptoms of depression in teens will help affected teens get the treatment they need to get better. Depression is a serious illness that can lead a teen to be isolated or abusive, and in some cases the teen could die. Professional help should be instituted in severe cases of depression.
Overall Hopelessness
One sign of depression in a teenager could be displays of overall hopelessness. This means they have poor self esteem, they talk about giving up and in many cases they may have thought or talked about death and suicide.
Withdrawal
Teens who withdrawal from their family and friends could be facing depression. Any sudden change in normal activities that result in isolation should be observed constructively.
Anger
Teens who show sudden outbursts of anger or hostility could be depressed. Anger that is out of control or ends with the teen crying and hopeless could also be a sign of depression.
Changes in Eating Habits
Another symptom of depression in teens could be a change in their normal eating habits or patterns. It could be either with overeating or binge eating or it could be with starvation with minimal eating or no eating at all.
Changes in Sleep
An increase in fatigue may be considered a symptom of depression if it involves sleeping for several hours at a time on a frequent basis. The teen could also become sleepless, tossing and turning without being able to fall asleep despite being fatigued.
