5 Things You Need to Know About Identifying Teen Depression1. Nothing to Brush Aside

5 Things You Need to Know About Identifying Teen Depression1. Nothing to Brush Aside

Teen depression is a serious problem that deserves serious attention. Hormonal imbalances can help exacerbate depression symptoms, making the experience especially difficult for those who suffer. Most teens can find an adequate balance of their changing emotional state and live a fairly happy life, but there are those who find the transition into adulthood shadowed by their emotional lows. Learning to recognize the signs and using resources available to parents and teachers to help teens through depressive episodes is vitally important.

2. Aren't They Just Being Moody?

Typically teenagers exhibit a variety of changing moods within a given week, or even day. However, the depressed teen will most likely exhibit pervasive and progressively dark moods that will last for long stretches with no change. Lack of social interaction, poor school performance, weight loss or gain, excessive sleeping or insomnia, lack of enthusiasm, frequent crying or tearfulness, anger, hostility and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts are all common for teens suffering from serious depression. Knowing how to recognize when a teen is in need is important to help them navigate the emotional swamp.

3. This Ain't Your Parents Depression

Teenagers and adults share many differences and depression symptoms, but the course of the disorder is no different. Typically teenagers suffering from depression will display a markedly more angry or hostile attitude than adults. Physical symptoms (aches, pains and headaches) are slightly more common among teens than adults. Depressed teens have a difficult time with the demands of home and school life and might turn to drugs and alcohol as a method of rebellion or reprieve from depressive symptoms, whereas many adults function on a consistent level while depressed. Eating disorders, running away, promiscuous sexual behavior and self-inflicted injury are also common among teens.

4. Don't Ignore the Signs

Finding help for a depressed teen is crucial in helping them find hope in their futures. Open lines of communication and listening carefully to the needs and emotional experiences of a teenager are important in helping identify the problem and getting the teen treatment. Teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than adults and thus parents and adults should be aware of at-risk depressive behaviors. Allowing the teen to express himself either in therapy or a creative endeavor is important. Teenagers respond well to empathy and a non-judgmental adult who can help them navigate turbulent feelings.

5. To Drug or Not to Drug

Antidepressants for teenagers have become increasingly popular. However, the risks associated with antidepressant use must be weighed against the situation and is relative to each case. After obtaining a diagnosis of depression, talk with a knowledgeable medical professional about the possible pitfalls of antidepressants which have been known to exacerbate depression symptoms and suicide attempts in some teenagers. Unstable hormonal levels and a still growing brain can make medical intervention difficult and should be taken seriously and judiciously. Therapy and general familial support are important in either case.