common signs of depression in teenagers

Published: 02/22/2025 | Updated: 12/23/2025

Authored by: Jemma Strain, B.S. Psychology

Edited by: Emma Loker, BSc, PgDip

Many teenagers experience a low mood from time to time. However, if a teen feels “down” more often than they feel “up,” or if they’ve stopped taking pleasure in things they used to enjoy, there might be something deeper going on.

For a teenager, depression can feel like being stuck in a room that used to have a window and doors, but no longer does. They can remember what the outside of this dark room used to look like, but the longer they’re stuck, the harder the outside is to recall. They might feel like no matter what they do, they can’t escape this dark, suffocating place.

If you or someone you care about is concerned about depression, know that you don’t have to cope with these feelings alone. There are lots of support options available for depression and for helping you feel better.

This page can help by discussing:

Teen depression symptoms, including warning signs and emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms
What to do if you see early signs of depression in teens
- Therapy options for teen depression symptoms
When to seek support

Key Takeaways

Teen depression symptoms often show up as emotional, behavioral, and physical changes—like persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleep/appetite shifts, fatigue, and trouble concentrating.
Common signs include depressed mood, loss of pleasure, sleep/weight changes, exhaustion, guilt/worthlessness, slowed or agitated behavior, concentration problems, and thoughts about death.
Emotional signs can include feeling hopeless or “numb,” sadness, low self-esteem, irritability/anger, stress, and reduced motivation for the future.
Behavioral indicators can include sleeping more/less, appetite changes, withdrawing from family/friends, negative self-talk, and lower school performance or attendance.

Teen Depression Symptoms

Depression can show up differently from person to person and can also vary according to the type of depression a teen has. For example, one teen might be highly aware of their negative emotions, while another might feel “numb” and unaware of their feelings.

Despite these differences in experiences, there are still some common early warning signs to look out for if you’re worried about depression in a teen. These signs may help you or a loved one better understand if support and help are needed.

Warning Signs of adolescent depression

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is what mental health professionals use to classify and diagnose mental health conditions. According to the DSM-5, the following are the common warning signs of depression:¹

A persistent low or depressed mood
Loss of pleasure or interest in activities
Changes to weight, such as loss or gain
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Tiredness and exhaustion
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Problems thinking or concentration
Changes to response times, such as moving or talking faster or slower than usual
Thoughts about death

Aside from these warning signs, a teen may also experience emotional, behavioral, and physical signs of depression, which we’ll discuss in more detail.

Emotional Signs of Teen Depression

As a result of certain changes to the brain that can lead to or are caused by depression, teens may experience the following changes in emotions.^2-4

Feeling hopeless, “numb,” or “empty”
Becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions such as sadness
A loss of interest in hobbies, activities, and friend groups they once enjoyed
Low self-esteem, self-blame, and feelings of “worthlessness”
Seeing themselves as a “failure” based on their past accomplishments
Frequent irritation, frustration, or anger – often without clear triggers
Difficulties recalling memories, both positive and negative
Increased awareness of negative emotions
Long-term feelings of stress
Lack of motivation to plan for the future as they see it as “bleak”
Issues with concentration and problem-solving
Suicide ideation, or thinking about death

Behavioral Indicators of Depression in Adolescents

As the emotions associated with depression can feel like too much for them to cope with, a teen’s behaviors can be affected in the following ways:^2,5,6

Increased or decreased time spent sleeping
Frequently seeming fatigued or exhausted
Speaking negatively about themselves, such as saying they’re “worthless” or “to blame”
Seeming slower than usual to physically react or speak
Changes in appetite (eating more or less than usual)
Poor performance and lower attendance at school, or even dropping out
Appearing frequently agitated or stressed
Withdrawing from family and friends
Changes in how they care for their appearance, such as personal hygiene
Becoming argumentative or showing outbursts of anger or aggression without a clear reason as to why
Engaging in risky behaviors and showing poor impulse control

Physical Symptoms of Teenage Depression

Although depression is often thought of as a purely “mental” or “emotional” condition, this belief is actually quite far from the truth. Depression can cause physical changes to the brain and body, such as the following:^7-9

Weight loss or gain
Fatigue
Regularly experiencing physical ailments such as stomach aches or headaches with no apparent medical cause
Changes to brain chemicals and how areas of the brain communicate, affecting appetite and pleasure
Size increases in the area of the brain responsible for emotions – the amygdala.
A reduction in the size of the brain area in charge of memory and learning – the hippocampus
Inflammation to the brain, which can lead to a lack of oxygen, affecting performance

The emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms of teenage depression go some way toward illustrating what depression can look like in a teen. However, if left untreated, depression can actually cause long-term problems for a teenager’s life, including:^10-13

Further mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and different types of depression
Relationship problems due to aggression, irritability, and withdrawal – and how these issues can affect how a teen bonds in relationships later in life
Chronic pain and physical health conditions due to how depression affects how a teen perceives pain
Problems with future success as a teen with depression may lack the motivation and mental space to plan ahead

With these signs and effects in mind, you might be wondering what to do if you see early signs of depression. If you’re concerned, there are many avenues of mental health support open to you, such as talking to a mental health professional. However, there are steps you can take in the here and now.

What to Do if You See Early Signs of Depression in Teens

It can be difficult to talk about your own depression or to talk to someone you love about theirs. However, talking about depression with family members, friends, mental health professionals, groups, or school mentors can help you understand that you’re not alone. There’s not as much of a stigma around mental health as there was in previous years, but it’s still important to keep breaking down these barriers to promote positive well-being.

If you’re concerned about a teenager’s mental health, you could try approaching the discussion about depression in the following ways.

1. Choose a Suitable Time and Place

Depression is a sensitive topic, and a teen might feel like they’ll be judged or not understood. It’s important to pick a place and time when they’ll be most likely to open up. For example, perhaps in the morning when they feel overwhelmed about the day ahead isn’t the best idea. Instead, maybe wait until after dinner when they feel more at ease.

2. Meet Them Where They're At

Not every teen will be willing to discuss how they’re feeling. Yet, if you’re concerned, it’s important to let them know that you’re aware of what they’re going through and are there to support them. You could open the conversation with pre-prepared lines like:

“I’ve noticed a shift in how you’ve been acting recently, and I’m a little worried. You know that you can talk to me about anything.”

“I read this article about how teenagers can feel depressed sometimes, and I was wondering if this is something you experience?”

3. Avoid Judging Them

It can be tough to hear about how someone you love is struggling, but don’t respond with judgment or shock. Teenagers with depression often battle against feelings of guilt and shame, so it’s important to keep in control of your responses so that they don’t close up. And, remember, teenagers with depression can’t just “shake off” their bad mood, so try to validate how they’re feeling by saying things like, “That must be difficult for you. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but I’m glad you told me.”

4. Let Them Know You're There to Support Them

Even if a teen doesn’t want to talk to you about depression right now, it doesn’t mean they won’t want to in the future. Letting them know you’re there for them, no matter when or how they need your help, can relieve some of the pressure they might be feeling.

If they do feel like talking about how they’re feeling, you could offer them practical support, such as helping them find resources for improving their mental health or going with them to talk to a mental health professional.

5. Try to Keep a "Normal" Routine

Although it may be hard to do in light of what you’ll hear about their feelings, it’s good to maintain structure and routine after a conversation about depression. You might be tempted to take over things like their household chores or let them take a few days off school, but structure can help a teen with depression. However, you can praise them for taking even small actions or ask what tasks they need support with the most.

Plus, even if a teen has stopped showing interest in quality time with you, it’s good to keep doing things together – even if it’s small activities like taking a walk or watching a favorite movie. The small things in life matter.

6. Look After Yourself

It can be difficult to look after someone else’s mental health if you’re not looking after your own. Sometimes, it may be tempting to sacrifice your own needs for those of someone else, but in the long run, this won’t benefit anyone. Try to find ways to relax and practice self-care. Life is all about balance – it’s both OK and important to look after yourself too.

Therapy Options for Teen Depression Symptoms

Depression poses a serious risk to a teen’s mental and physical health – and it can be difficult to manage on your own. Therapy with a trained mental health professional can help a teen understand what they’re going through and feel hopeful again about the future.

There are a number of effective therapy options for teen depression, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

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.

Interpersonal Therapy

This form of therapy helps teens understand how problems in relationships can contribute to their feelings – and how to work through these issues.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR can help teens process previous experiences that may lead to depression 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.

A doctor may also recommend medication for depression. However, medication is usually most effective when combined with talk therapy.

When to Seek Support for the Signs of Depression in Teenagers

Teenagers may experience depression in different ways, but if you notice the signs of depression mentioned in yourself or someone you care about, it’s important to take action. Early intervention is key for managing the emotional, behavioral, and physical effects of depression on a teen’s life. However, seeking support at any stage can help – it’s never too late to reach out.

Professional mental health treatment is often the most beneficial step anyone can take toward better well-being. It can feel daunting to open up about depression, but Mission Prep is here to help.

Talking about depression is a sign of strength, and Mission Prep can help you heal. Our depression treatment options include inpatient and outpatient programs in various locations that can get to the root causes of teen depression in empathetic, personal ways. Contact us today for support and advice.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Teen depression: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985
Hamilton, J. P., Siemer, M., & Gotlib, I. H. (2008). Amygdala volume in Major Depressive Disorder: A meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 13(11), 993. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2008.57
Burtscher, J., Niedermeier, M., Hüfner, K., Van den Burg, E., Kopp, M., Stoop, R., Burtscher, M., Gatterer, H., & Millet, G. P. (2022). The interplay of hypoxic and mental stress: Implications for anxiety and depressive disorders. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 138, 104718.
Simmons, W. K., Burrows, K., Avery, J. A., Kerr, K. L., Bodurka, J., Savage, C. R., & Drevets, W. C. (2016). Depression-related increases and decreases in appetite reveal dissociable patterns of aberrant activity in reward and interoceptive neurocircuitry. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(4), 418. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15020162
Sinval, J., Oliveira, P., Novais, F., Almeida, C. M., & Telles-Correia, D. (2025). Exploring the impact of depression, anxiety, stress, academic engagement, and dropout intention on medical students’ academic performance: A prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 368, 665-673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.116
Hamilton, J. P., Siemer, M., & Gotlib, I. H. (2008). Amygdala volume in Major Depressive Disorder: A meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 13(11), 993. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2008.57
Dillon, D. G., & Pizzagalli, D. A. (2018). Mechanisms of Memory Disruption in Depression. Trends in Neurosciences, 41(3), 137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.12.006
Kanekar, S., Bogdanova, O. V., Olson, P. R., Sung, H., & Renshaw, P. F. (2015). Hypobaric Hypoxia Induces Depression-like Behavior in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, but not in Males. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 16(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2014.1070
Jonsson, U., Bohman, H., von Knorring, L., Olsson, G., Paaren, A., & von Knorring, A. (2011). Mental health outcome of long-term and episodic adolescent depression: 15-year follow-up of a community sample. Journal of Affective Disorders, 130, 395–404.
Goodman, R. J., Samek, D. R., Wilson, S., Iacono, W. G., & McGue, M. (2019). Close relationships and depression: A developmental cascade approach. Development and Psychopathology, 31(4), 1451. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418001037
Surah, A., Baranidharan, G., & Morley, S. (2014). Chronic pain and depression. Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, 14(2), 85-89. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkt046
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Common Signs of Teen Depression FAQs

What are the most common signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers?

Common signs include persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in sleep and weight/appetite, fatigue, guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, noticeable slowing down or agitation, and thoughts about death.

How is teen depression different from “normal” teenage moodiness?

Depression symptoms tend to last and noticeably interfere with daily life—affecting emotions, behavior, school performance, relationships, and physical health—rather than coming and going with typical day-to-day stress.

What should I do if I notice early signs of depression in my teen?

Start a calm, nonjudgmental conversation at a good time and place, listen more than you talk, validate what they’re feeling, and encourage support from trusted adults or a mental health professional. Keeping healthy routines (sleep, meals, movement) can also help while getting additional care in place.

What kinds of therapy can help with teen depression symptoms?

Evidence-based options include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and EMDR when past experiences are a contributing factor. Medication may also be recommended in some cases and is often most effective alongside therapy.

When should a teen or family seek professional support?

If symptoms persist, worsen, or start affecting safety, school, relationships, or daily functioning, professional support is important. Early intervention can help, and support can still be effective even if symptoms have been present for a while.