Teen Depression Information

If you suspect teen depression:

• Respond with love, kindness, and support.
• Repeatedly let your child know that you are there, whenever she or he needs you
• Be gentle but persistent if your adolescent shuts you out (depressed teenagers do not want to feel patronized or crowded). Do not ask a lot of questions, but make known your concern and your willingness to listen.
• Do not criticize or pass judgment once the adolescent begins to talk (the important thing is that he or she is talking and communicating feelings).
• Encourage activity and praise efforts to socialize and be active.
• Seek help from a doctor or mental health professional if the adolescent's depressed feeling doesn't pass with time.

What are the symptoms of teenage depression?

• A downward trend in performance at school or college
• Change in personal hygiene and appearance
• Destructive and/or defiant behavior
• Hallucinations or unusual beliefs
• Appetite or weight has changed considerably (has lost or gained a substantial amount of weight)
• May appear restless, agitated (pacing, wringing hands) or has slowed down (e.g., spends hours staring in front, finds it hard to move)
• Has lost a lot of energy, complains of feeling tired all the time
• Complaints of feeling guilty or worthless ('everything is my fault', 'I am bad')
• Belief that life is not worth living

What are the risk factors for suicide in teenagers?

There are several high-risk factors associated with teen suicide:

• Suicide (up to 15% of people with major depressive disorder die by suicide)
• Increased risk of alcohol- and drug-related problems
• Increased risk of tobacco dependence
• Increased risk of problems with physical health and premature death due to medical illness

What are the effects of depression in teenagers?

• Drug and alcohol use - depressed teens often use substances in an attempt to self-medicate their symptoms
• Low self-esteem - depression can intensify feelings of ugliness and unworthiness
• Eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression
• Self injury - cutting, burning, head banging, or other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression
• Acting out - depression in teenagers may appear as agitation, aggression, or high risk behaviors rather than-or in addition to-gloominess
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts - teens who are seriously depressed or despondent often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide, which should be taken seriously

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