We all have days when we don’t feel at our best – it’s normal to feel “blue” or sad from time to time. Yet, if our “off” days start to outweigh the good, it may be a sign of a deeper issue.
The teenage years are a period that people often associate with hormonal changes and mood shifts, but teenage depression goes beyond general “moodiness.” Depression in teens can affect every aspect of a teenager’s life, including their well-being, relationships, behaviors, and ability to learn. Plus, teenage depression is, unfortunately, a widespread problem. According to the World Health Organization, depression occurs in around 1.5% of teenagers aged between 10-14 years old and 3.5% of teens aged between 15-19 years of age.1
Fortunately, if you or someone you care about is showing signs of depression, it is a treatable condition. Understanding depression and why it happens, as well as seeking support, can help a teenager build the foundations for a brighter present and future.
This page can help by discussing:
The teen depression definition, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), is “Extreme sadness or despair which lasts more than days.” In other words, while moods can shift relatively quickly, depression can persist for longer than just having a couple of “bad days.”
Depression can affect all aspects of a teenager’s life, including their ability to think, sleep, eat, and learn. It also impacts their beliefs about themselves, often causing them to see themselves as “worthless” or “unloveable.”2
Additionally, depression is one of the most widespread mental health conditions in the United States – and it commonly starts in the teenage years.3 Therefore, targeting the early signs and symptoms of depression can help offset long-term effects on a teen’s emotional and physical health.
The longer depression goes on, the more it can affect a teen’s life and well-being. If you’re concerned that you or someone you care about may have depression, the following signs can help you determine whether support and advice are needed. These signs can range from mild to severe depending on factors such as a teen’s age, personality traits, and the type of depression they have.
Teens who are feeling depressed may show the following changes in their emotions:
Depression can happen to anyone, of any age, and from anywhere. Many factors can play a role in whether a teen develops depression, such as their genetics, biology, hormones, and past experiences. However, certain risk factors can increase the chances that a teen will develop depression. These include:
Having other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and eating disorders, may make a teen more likely to experience symptoms of depression. In fact, research shows that up to 63% of people with an anxiety disorder also meet the criteria for depression. Factors such as low self-esteem and a pessimistic outlook can also contribute to symptoms of depression.5
Studies have shown that depression may have as much as 50% heritability, meaning that if a family member, such as a parent, has depression, then a teen may be more likely to experience it. However, this may not be purely to do with genetics, but perhaps an interaction between genes and stress, such as conflict with family, mistreatment, and being bullied.6
Teens who have experienced childhood trauma may be more likely to experience depression than those who have not. Childhood trauma is any distressing event that causes a long-term emotional impact and can be caused by a wide range of events, including abuse, accidents, loss of a loved one, violence, or natural disasters.7
Growing up with issues that can affect the ability to learn and socialize, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), could also contribute to signs of depression. Additionally, the more aware a teen is of their differences, the more likely they may be to experience depression.8
Teens who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community may be more likely to experience depression. This finding has nothing to do with being a part of the community, but instead with how they are treated by the people around them. For instance, being a part of a supportive family environment might protect teens from such mental health issues. Plus, being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community itself may be protective against depression, as teens can feel included and supported by others in it.9
If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms of depression, you are not alone. Professional support and advice are available. There are also steps you can take to look after your mental health in the here and now – which we’ll discuss next.
Depression can be difficult to cope with by yourself, but there are things you can do to help yourself or a loved one. The following are actions you can take when you feel like things are getting on top of you.
Everyone is different, so what works for some people may not work for you – but trying various activities may help you pinpoint what can be of assistance during times of need.
Depression can make you feel isolated and alone – like no one else could understand what you’re going through. But a lot of people experience depression, so talking to someone can help you see that what you’re going through can be understood. You could choose to talk to a parent, caregiver, teacher, mentor, or school nurse; as long as you feel safe in their company, that’s all that matters. If you don’t feel ready to talk to an adult just yet, perhaps consider speaking to a close friend. They may offer to support you when you feel ready to discuss what you’re going through with an adult.
Sometimes, depression can make thinking about the day ahead unbearable – like you have an overwhelming amount of tasks to face. If you focus on small steps, such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, and eating breakfast, you can stop yourself from feeling swamped by trying to mentally tackle everything at once. Plus, it’s important to celebrate small wins – no matter how small an action is, if it feels difficult and you still do it, you should be proud of yourself.
Socializing can feel exhausting if you have depression. However, withdrawing from friends and family can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness – potentially worsening symptoms of depression. You don’t always have to be “on” when spending time with loved ones; simply watching a movie or playing a video game together still counts as quality time.
You don’t have to go to the gym or do an intense workout – even gently moving your body can help manage the symptoms of depression. Perhaps go for a walk, do some stretches, or practice a five-minute Youtube pilates exercise. Exercise in any form can naturally help boost your mood and shift your attention from your thoughts and feelings to the sensations in your body.
It can be hard to relax if you’re experiencing depression – but relaxation techniques can help shift feelings of self-blame and guilt, allowing you to feel more present in the moment. Simply taking a bath or going on a nature walk can be relaxing, but if you struggle to turn off your thoughts during activities such as these, mindfulness and meditation could help. Both of these techniques focus on non-judgmentally experiencing the moment and can help reduce depressive thoughts.
There are many mindfulness techniques. Mindful breathing, for example, can be as simple as just noticing the sound of your breath and how your body feels as you inhale and exhale.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, the techniques mentioned may help. However, it can be difficult to cope with depression by yourself. Therapy for depression can create a strong foundation for coping with the symptoms of depression and creating a bright, positive future.
If you think that you or someone you know is depressed, it can help to talk to a medical professional about getting a diagnosis. A diagnosis of depression typically includes a physical exam to rule out any potential physical illnesses that could be contributing to your feelings.
After this, you’ll be asked a series of questions by a mental health professional around things like:
CBT can help teens with depression to identify and understand their negative thoughts. It can also target how to challenge these thoughts, build healthy ways of coping with them, and transition these skills into the world outside of therapy.
This form of therapy helps teens understand how problems in relationships can contribute to their feelings – and how to work through these issues. Interpersonal therapy can also help a teen figure out the issues behind behaviors and how to manage these for better mental health.
If previous experiences, such as trauma, are contributing to a teen’s symptoms of depression, EMDR can help them process these in a safe, supportive environment. EMDR changes the way trauma is stored in the brain and helps a teen build more positive self-beliefs and ways of coping with life’s challenges.
TMS can be effective in treating treatment-resistant depression. It’s a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in targeted areas of the brain – improving outlook and mood.
DBT was adapted from CBT for people who struggle with strong or difficult emotions. It can help a teen with depression to develop skills such as distress tolerance, mindfulness, and coping strategies for managing their depression.
These therapies can be offered as a part of a residential mental health treatment program or outpatient program, depending on a teen’s needs.
Aside from talk therapy, a medical professional may also discuss options for medication for depression, as a combination approach is often recommended. However, it’s important to carefully monitor how medications such as antidepressants are used and to check in with your doctor regularly.
Depression can cause a range of emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems that can affect a teenager’s life in a variety of ways. For instance, depression can lead to problems in school, conflict with family, and even thoughts of death. For these reasons, it’s important to seek help for teen depression as soon as possible to help manage its effects.
A teen with depression doesn’t have to deal with what they’re going through alone. Reaching out to a mental health professional can help ensure a bright present and future – where depression doesn’t rule over emotions, thoughts, and actions.
Mission Prep can help. Our team of trained mental health professionals offers comprehensive and individual depression treatment for teens in various locations. We consider depression’s impact on teenagers’ lives, including on sleep, eating habits, energy levels, and ability to think, before creating a treatment package that caters to each teen’s specific needs. Contact us today for support and advice.
Find out if Mission Prep is right for you by reaching out to us and speaking with one of our admissions representatives.
