Your teenager seems down lately. Maybe they haven’t been hanging out with their friends as often as they used to, and they don’t open up around you or your other relatives, either. They might prefer to stay alone in their room, and you’re getting concerned about their screentime. Perhaps they used to be motivated to go after certain goals, but now, they seem to have lost their drive. They might have stopped talking about going to college or career options that used to excite them.
If this sounds like your teen, they may be dealing with depression. Here’s how to recognize some of the most common signs of depression in your teen so that you can help them get the support they need.
Sadness, Anger, and Hopelessness
Sadness that never seems to lift or ongoing anger can be symptoms of depression in teens. These issues can’t always be chalked up to the emotional troubles of puberty. For some teenagers, depression is characterized by emotional numbness rather than deep sadness or intense anger. This numbness can turn into hopelessness, and they might lose any sense of agency over their futures.
It’s worth noting that feeling sad, angry, or discouraged about the future does not always indicate that someone is depressed. These emotions are all normal parts of the human experience. But if your teen always seems sad or angry no matter the circumstances, or if they’ve repeatedly expressed how hopeless they feel, it may be cause for concern.
Withdrawing from Family and Friends
Many people with depression start isolating themselves. They might feel like they’re not worthy of companionship with others, or they may worry that if people found out they were struggling, they would be rejected. For a teen with depression, closing yourself off to relationships can feel more comfortable than telling people you need help. Your teen might turn down invitations to hang out with friends, or they may have stopped reaching out to their friends altogether.
Struggling in School
You may have noticed that your teen’s performance in school is dropping. Maybe they previously got fantastic grades, but suddenly, their grades are sliding downward. Or perhaps they always kept up fine in their classes, yet now, they’re in danger of failing. Their teachers may have even reached out to you to discuss their grades.
Quitting Hobbies
Your teen might have enjoyed being on the track team, taking gymnastics classes, or participating in their school’s debate club. Teens reap major benefits from being part of group activities like team sports or extracurricular clubs. They also gain valuable skills from solo hobbies, like practicing yoga or painting.
But if your teen no longer seems to care about their old hobbies, and they’ve expressed that they want to quit the activities they used to enjoy, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Outgrowing a hobby is normal. However, a loss of interest in former hobbies is also a symptom of depression.
Physical Symptoms
Has your teen been complaining about minor physical ailments with no clear cause? Maybe they’ve been having trouble sleeping, or perhaps they’ve been suffering from persistent headaches or stomach pains. They might not have much appetite anymore, or they may be reaching for comfort foods more often.
Sometimes, depression can lead to physical symptoms. If your teen is struggling emotionally and dealing with physical discomfort, but their doctor has not found anything wrong, it could be connected to depression.
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If you’re concerned that your teen is suffering from depression, we invite you to reach out to us to speak to one of our teen therapists that specializes in working with adolescents.