Teens deal with stress on a regular basis, and many of them learn how to cope with daily stress in healthy ways such as participating in sports or listening to music. However, some have a hard time dealing with the pressures of being a teenager. A teenager who suffers from major depression might not have a social support system, have issues at home and feel pressure to achieve impossible goals.
Hopelessness
One of the major signs that an adolescent is depressed is feelings of hopelessness. The teenager might make statements like, "Things will never change," or "I'll never be able to make friends." Teens experiencing major depression don't see a way out of it. For example, he might feel like he'll never fit in, be able to please his parents or be able to pass his classes. The teens don't know how to cope with their feelings.
Irritability and Sadness
Teens express feelings of depression differently than adults. Many times they appear irritable. They might start arguments at home and cause fights at school. Teens can also appear sad and spend hours crying when depressed.
Weight Gain or Loss
Many teens who suffer from major depression lose or gain a significant amount of weight. This is due to an increase or decrease in eating. A teen who used to eat regularly might start eating three times the amount of food. Another teen who's depressed might not feel hungry or become nauseous when she tries to eat.
Sleep Issues
An adolescent who is depressed might have a hard time sleeping or may sleep too much. He might refuse to get out of bed in the morning and skip school on a regular basis. He might seem tired all the time but never seem to sleep. He might attempt to sleep at night but not be able to fall asleep, or he might wake up within a few hours of falling asleep.
Recklessness
Some teens who are suffering from major depression partake in reckless behaviors. The teen might use drugs, drink and drive or have unprotected sex. Many times the teen feels hopeless and possibly suicidal, so the teen doesn't care about keeping himself safe. Also, teens might try to medicate themselves by taking drugs or drinking to numb feelings of sadness and anger.
Suicide
Another sign that a teenager is suffering from major depression is thoughts of suicide. Signs that a teen might be experiencing thoughts of suicide include saying goodbye, giving away prized possessions, talking about death or dying, making statements about hopelessness and getting the means to commit suicide such as pills or a gun. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. If you know a teen who is having thoughts of suicide, get help immediately. Call 911, take her to your local psychiatric emergency room or contact a licensed mental health professional.
