Teen Depression and Suicide Symptom Quiz.
It’s not unusual for young people to experience the blues or feel down in the
dumps. Adolescence is an unsettling time full of physical, emotional,
psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life. However,
when teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it
may indicate adolescent depression.
Teen depression continues to increase at an alarming rate. Depending on the
report quoted, one in five to one in eight adolescents may have depression.
Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect
teens to act moody. Also, adolescents do not always understand or express their
feelings very well. They may not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may
not seek help. Teens often need an attentive and caring adult to help guide them
to safe treatment.
These symptoms may indicate depression, particularly when they last for more
than two weeks:
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Sadness and hopelessness.
- Substance abuse.
- Problems with authority.
- Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation.
- Poor self-esteem or guilt.
- Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness.
- Restlessness and agitation.
- Poor performance in school.
- Anger and rage.
- Overreaction to criticism.
- Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals.
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
- Suicidal thoughts or actions.
Teens may not come out and say, "I am depressed. My life is not worth living.
I need help." Instead, teens typically show their sadness in pervasive ways.
Teens may express their depression through hostile, aggressive, risk-taking
behavior. Teens may experiment with drugs or alcohol or become sexually
promiscuous to avoid feelings of depression.
Signs of depression in the Teenage Adolescent:
- Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying.
- Crying for no apparent reason.
- Decreased interest in activities.
- Decreased involvement in clubs, sports, and other activities they once
enjoyed.
- Wearing black clothes, writing poetry with morbid themes, a preoccupation
with music with dark themes.
- Decreased effort in maintaining their appearance or hygiene.
- Persistent boredom, low energy, lack of motivation.
- Social isolation, lack of connection with friends and family.
- Frequent absences from school.
- Poor performance in school.
- Poor concentration.
- Difficulty with relationships or decreased effort in maintaining
friendships.
- Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches, lightheadedness, dizziness,
being nauseous, back pain, menstrual problems and other physical complaints.
- Talks about or attempts to run away from home.
- Expresses thoughts of suicide or exhibits self-destructive behavior.
- Self-Injury.
Teenage girls are at especially high risk, as is the minority adolescent. The
teenage person under stress, the adolescent who experiences loss, or the teen
with attentional, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk
for depression.
As the rate of depression rises, so does the teen suicide rate. The rate of
suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960. Each year, almost
5,000 young people, ages 15 to 24, kill themselves. The number of attempted
suicides is even higher.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents, the second
leading cause of death among college-age youth and the sixth leading cause of
death in children.
Depression is serious and, if left untreated, can worsen to the point of
becoming life-threatening. Do not ignore the symptoms if you suspect that the
teen in your life might be suffering from depression. Antidepressant medication
is not recommended for children under the age of 18 and can make the adolescent
suicidal. Deprex is a safe and effective alternative to antidepressant
medication for the teenage adolescent.
Return to Depression Directory.
Depression Help Center.