Teen Depression – How to Recognize Early Warning Signs

This post may earn affiliate income from links and/or review products to help support this site from the companies .

Teen Depression – How to Recognize Early Warning Signs

 

As parents, it is easy to forget the pressures that today’s teenagers face. It is not easy living in a teen’s world and the problems can add up and overwhelm them rather easily. This can result in teen depression and send your child spiraling both in school and in life. The key is to recognize the signs and symptoms early and to get them help. The earlier we can do that, the better odds they have of getting back on track.

 

If you are not aware of the signs of teen depression, here is a quick look at some things you may notice and how to get help for Teen Depression and mental health:

 

Moodiness

With teen depression, many of the symptoms can be a misleading. For example, a teenager being moody is fairly common. Most teens are moody and that can be normal given all the hormones. That said, you want to pay close attention to major shifts or changes. So being even more moody than usual can be a sign of teen depression.

 

Family avoidance

If your teen suddenly begins avoiding the family and keeping to himself, it is a good time to ask a few questions. This avoidance is particularly alarming if it is new.

 

Thoughts about death, suicide

Teens are sometimes going to be naturally curious about death and dying, but a constant preoccupation is not healthy. Clearly any thoughts about suicide should be a signal for immediate help and intervention.

 

Drug use and drinking

Drug use is a clear and obvious signal that a teen is depressed or otherwise in trouble. Depression has a way of giving a teen a hopeless feeling and they will sometimes begin looking for things to fill that emptiness. Drugs and alcohol are dangerous options that commonly get offered to teens.

 

New and unusual friends

If your kid makes a total shift in their friend groups or social circles, you should certainly be asking questions. They generally do this when they are looking for answers or they have been ousted from a social circle. Sometimes this is a harmless shift, but often it signals a problem.

 

Eating and sleeping problems

Any type of eating disorder is a major red flag and it requires an immediate response from you as parents. Sleeping is another major problem with depressed teens. They will either sleep way too much or not be sleeping at all. Either way, that is a clear signal that something is wrong.

 

Concentration problems

Teens that suffer from poor grades or concentration issues are usually distracted in some way or depressed. It can be very helpful to investigate these causes and open up the lines of communication.

This list is a good starting point for identifying teen depression and mental health concerns but it is not all inclusive. Every teen is different and might show their depression in different ways. The important thing is to pay attention and respond when you notice major shifts or changes in behavior. If you suspect there may be areas of concern I urge you to check out this article on, Parents Guide: How To Help Your Team Cope With Mental Health Issues