Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common among teens in our culture. A recent study found one in five teens suffer from some sort of mental health disorder.
These disorders are across different issues, but depression has been on the rise, increasing 69% among teens since 2009. At the same time, the teen suicide rate has also risen.
Teenage depression, then, is a serious issue in our culture. This is due to several factors from bullying to media influence, to cell phone use. The isolation during the Pandemic didn’t help. As Christians, we should be sure to recognize and address serious depression in our young people.
Here are seven things you need to know about teenage depression.
1. It's Not Just Normal Teenage Moodiness
When our kids hit those teen years, they have a great deal going on. Between major body changes, hormones raging, and social pressures, they can have major mood swings. These are normal for anyone, but even more so for teens during those years of transition.
However, teenage depression is a serious mental health condition that should not be dismissed as normal moodiness. It’s essential to recognize the distinction between typical teenage mood swings and depression to provide the necessary support and intervention.
While moodiness can be sporadic and short-lived, teenage depression typically persists for an extended period, often lasting for weeks or months. It’s marked by a consistent and pervasive low mood that interferes with daily functioning.
Depression involves intense and overwhelming emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, and despair. These emotions are not in response to specific events and are out of proportion to the situation, whereas normal moodiness tends to be tied to specific triggers and is less intense.
Perhaps the most critical distinction is the presence of suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors. Depressed teenagers may express thoughts of suicide or engage in self-destructive behaviors, making it a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.
Never underestimate the importance of taking depression seriously and providing the necessary support and resources to those who may be affected by it.
2. Symptoms Vary
Teenage depression is a complex mental health condition, and its symptoms can vary widely from one individual to another.
While feelings of sadness and hopelessness are common in both teenagers and adults with depression, teenagers may also exhibit irritability, anger, and frequent mood swings. They might lash out or become easily frustrated.
Depression can manifest physically in teenagers. They may complain of headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, or unexplained aches and pains. These physical complaints can be a manifestation of emotional distress.
Teenagers with depression often withdraw from social interactions, isolating themselves from friends and family. They may avoid social activities, stop participating in hobbies they once enjoyed, and spend more time alone in their rooms.
Depressed teenagers may have difficulty concentrating, completing assignments, or attending school regularly. This drop in academic performance is more severe than the typical academic challenges associated with adolescence.
Depression can disrupt sleep patterns. Some teenagers may experience insomnia and have trouble falling or staying asleep, while others may oversleep and struggle to get out of bed.
Some teenagers may lose their appetite and experience weight loss, while others may engage in emotional eating and gain weight.
Some depressed teenagers may engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless driving, self-harm, or risky sexual activity as a way to cope with their emotional pain.
Teenagers may express feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt differently than adults. They may not articulate these emotions clearly but may instead show them through behaviors like expressions of self-harm, even extending to risky behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless driving, self-harm, or sexual activity to cope with emotional pain.
Not all teenagers with depression will exhibit the same set of symptoms. Some may display only a few of these signs, while others may experience a combination.
3. Risk Factors
Understanding the risk factors for teenage depression is crucial for early intervention and prevention.
A family history of depression or other mood disorders can increase a teenager’s risk. Genetics play a role in predisposing individuals to depression, and having a close relative with the condition can elevate the risk.
Chemical imbalances in the brain, particularly involving neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, can contribute to depression. Hormonal changes during adolescence may also play a role.
Exposure to traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing domestic violence, can increase the likelihood of developing depression in adolescence.
Managing a chronic physical illness or dealing with a disabling condition can be emotionally taxing for teenagers and increase their risk of depression.
Academic pressures, bullying, peer rejection, and stressful life events like divorce or the death of a loved one can trigger depression in teenagers.
The use of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications, can increase the risk of depression in teenagers. Substance abuse can both contribute to and result from depression.
Social factors, such as feeling socially isolated, disconnected, lacking a support system, or having few close friends, can be risk factors for teenage depression.
Adolescent girls are more likely than boys to experience depression, which may be partly due to hormonal changes, social pressures, or different coping mechanisms.
Limited access to mental health resources and services can hinder early diagnosis and treatment of depression, prolonging the condition's impact.
It's important to note that having one or more risk factors does not guarantee that a teenager will develop depression, and individuals with no risk factors can still experience the condition.
4. Seeking Professional Help Is Crucial
Getting professional help for teenage depression is absolutely critical. This mental health condition can have profound and lasting effects on a teenager’s emotional well-being, relationships, academic performance, and overall quality of life.
Professional mental health practitioners are trained to differentiate between temporary mood swings and clinical depression, ensuring an accurate diagnosis.
Teenagers with depression are at a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Professional help can assess and address this risk, providing strategies to keep the teenager safe.
Mental health professionals can create individualized treatment plans based on specific needs and circumstances, including therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Professionals have available evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Within these treatments are valuable coping skills that can empower teenagers to recognize early warning signs and mitigate any relapses, which are common for depression.
Therapists provide a safe, confidential space for teenagers to express their feelings and emotions without judgment, often instrumental in the process, of removing any stigmas for mental health issues. Family is then part of the team for support and understanding of long-term health.
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage the symptoms of depression. Professionals can monitor medication efficacy, side effects, and adjustments as needed.
Early intervention can prevent depression from worsening and minimize its impact on a teenager's life. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.
Teenage depression is a serious condition, but it is treatable. Professional help is essential for providing the necessary guidance, support, and resources to help teenagers overcome depression and regain their emotional well-being.
5. It Can Lead to Serious Consequences
Teenage depression, when left untreated or inadequately addressed, can lead to a range of serious consequences that can impact not only the teenager's immediate well-being but also their long-term future.
Depression often affects a teenager’s ability to concentrate, complete assignments, and attend school regularly.
As a result, academic performance may suffer, potentially leading to failing grades, lower educational attainment, and decreased future opportunities. In general, depression keeps the teen from focusing on long-term goals and desires.
Depressed teenagers often withdraw from social interactions, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can strain relationships with friends and family members, creating a sense of disconnection, and leading to a struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships.
Some teenagers turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate their emotional pain. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, further exacerbating their mental health challenges.
To cope with overwhelming emotional pain, some teenagers engage in self-harming behaviors such as cutting. This is a dangerous coping mechanism that can result in physical harm and scarring. The most extreme and scariest form of this is suicidal thoughts and actions.
Depression can have a negative impact on physical health, contributing to problems like sleep disturbances, changes in appetite and weight, and an increased vulnerability to illnesses due to weakened immune function.
Untreated teenage depression can increase the risk of developing more severe or chronic mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorders, and take these problems into adulthood.
6. A Supportive Environment Is Key
Creating a supportive environment is essential for teenagers dealing with depression. A nurturing and understanding atmosphere can make a significant difference in their recovery and overall well-being.
Adolescents with depression often feel alone and misunderstood. A supportive environment validates their emotions, letting them know that it’s okay to feel the way they do.
It fosters a sense of acceptance and normalizes their experiences. This also reduces the stigma associated with mental health issues so the teenager can seek help without fear of judgment.
In a supportive environment, teenagers are more likely to be aware of available mental health resources and encouraged to access them. Supportive adults can help connect them to professionals and support groups.
Parent involvement increases success in every aspect of life, and seeking help for depression is no different.
A supportive family can attend therapy sessions, learn about depression, and provide an additional layer of emotional support. The family can be a great help when they learn about stressors, triggers, and other signs of depression.
A supportive environment helps teenagers develop emotional resilience. They learn healthy coping mechanisms, problem-solving skills, and strategies for managing stress and negative emotions.
The family can identify and prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors, ensuring teens have someone to turn to in a crisis.
Encouraging positive peer relationships is vital. Friends who understand and empathize with the teenager's struggles can provide valuable emotional support.
A supportive environment is not just for the short term; it contributes to long-term recovery. Teenagers who have a strong support system are more likely to sustain their mental well-being as they transition into adulthood.
7. Prevention and Early Intervention
Early prevention and intervention are crucial when it comes to teenage depression, mitigating both short- and long-term effects.
Depression is a progressive condition that tends to worsen over time if left untreated. Early intervention can prevent the escalation of symptoms and the development of more severe forms of depression.
Teenagers who receive help in the early stages of depression often respond better to therapy and medication, if necessary. It also keeps the teens from turning to harmful behaviors to self-medicate.
Early intervention can alleviate their emotional pain, reduce distress, and help them regain a sense of normalcy in their lives. This has a positive effect on things like their academic performance, keeping them on track instead of a decline.
Early intervention can identify suicidal ideation and behaviors, allowing for immediate assistance and potentially saving lives.
Early intervention provides teenagers with tools and strategies to cope with their emotions and stressors in healthier ways. These skills can serve them well throughout their lives and promote emotional resilience in the young person, learning to be more self-aware to navigate life’s challenges in the future and into their adult life.
It’s essential for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to be vigilant and proactive in identifying signs of depression in teenagers. Encourage open communication, provide a supportive environment, and be ready to seek professional help when needed.
Early prevention and intervention can make a profound difference in the lives of teenagers, ensuring they have the opportunity to grow into emotionally healthy and resilient adults.
For further reading:
9 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare Yourself for Seasonal Depression
Is God with Us in Our Depression?
15 Things Young People Need to Hear Right Now
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Georgijevic
