As of 2020, more than 4 million adolescents ages 12 to 17 have experienced at least one major depressive episode per year.
While depression is common, it’s still a serious mood disorder that goes beyond feeling down.
According to the American Psychological Association, a depressive episode lasts for at least two weeks or more. During that time, people experience symptoms that affect their ability to function normally. These may include:
- Constant sadness
- Lack of interest in most activities, even ones that were once enjoyed
- Appetite changes, like eating too much or too little
- Sleep disturbances
- Weight changes
- Low energy
- Speeding up or slowing down of mental and physical processes (pacing, wringing hands, slow speech, slow movement, etc.)
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Difficulty planning, concentrating, and remembering things
- Frequent thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
What causes depression in teens?
Depression isn’t caused by one thing. There are many social, genetic, and environmental factors that may lead to depression in teens, like:
- A family history of depression
- Abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, or verbal)
- An unstable home life (family problems, poverty)
- Loss of a loved one
- Social isolation
- Trauma
- Bullying and difficulty with peers
- Other mental health conditions, physical illnesses, or behavioral/learning difficulties
- Marginalized identity, like being LGBTQIA+, racialized, etc.
Recognize the signs
The sooner we recognize that our teen is struggling with depression, the sooner we can seek help. Signs to look out for include:
- Difficulty in school, such as a drop in grade or skipping class
- Reckless behavior, like abuse of drugs/alcohol and unsafe sex
- Extreme sensitivity to criticism or personal mistakes
- Irritability or crying for no reason
- Unexplained complaints of body aches (stomach, back, head)
- Social withdrawal
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Defiant behavior (beyond what is normal)
- Binge eating or loss of interest in food
How to help
- Express concern in a gentle, non-judgmental way. In a one-on-one setting, ask genuine open-ended questions about their experience.
Ask if they have thoughts of suicide. While uncomfortable, this question is critical. It allows us to get our teen help before the situation progresses. Also, it reduces the stigma, and opens the door for them to talk to us about it.
- Be willing to listen without being defensive or distracted. We should validate our teen’s feelings, even if we don’t fully understand.
- Don’t force it. If they’re not ready to talk, we shouldn’t be forceful or intimidating. However, over time, we should keep asking questions and showing support.
- Get professional help. A therapist can provide a safe space for teens to express themselves, and learn techniques to cope with depression. Consider both individual and family therapy.
In addition to therapy, anti-depressant medication may worth exploring.
In severe cases, an in-patient hospital program may be useful.
- Be consistent with the treatment plan. Once a plan is established, we should make sure our teen attends appointments, takes medication, etc.
- Encourage teens to stay connected. Good relationships with peers, physical activity, participation in activities, and asking for help when needed can be protective factors against depression.
Key takeaways
- Depression is a common disorder for teens that can cause impairment in their lives, emotionally, physically, and socially.
- Recognizing the signs of depression is the first step to helping teens get better.
- Support should be gentle, unconditional, non-judgmental, and consistent.
Sources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t5/
https://dictionary.apa.org/major-depressive-episode
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/how-to-help-a-teen-with-depression#ask-questions
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=major-depression-in-adolescents-90-P01614