Signs of Teenage Depression

Teenage depression is a serious problem. It can affect every aspect of a teenagers life. If it is left untreated or undetected, it can lead to serious problems at home or at School. It can lead to drug abuse, self-hating or suicide. Luckily teenage depression can be treated. There are many ways to help a teenager with depression. Many things you can do.

Understanding teenagers can be hard to do. The teen years are tough for both teenagers and parents. Most teens succeed or get along well because of good friendship, being successful in School or at sports. Bad moods or playing up is to be expected of teenagers, but depression is something else indeed. Depression can destroy the very nature of a teenagers personality, causing anger, despair and extreme sadness. Teenage depression is on the increase or may be just the fact that awareness is more publicized. Depression can be successfully treated, but only a small number only ever receive help. If you have a teenager in your family or at School it is therefore important to recognize all the warning signs.

Teenagers have a tough time. Going through puberty, finding where they fit in and who they actually are, to name but a few, are on most teenagers minds. Most teenagers have regular conflicts with their parents and they start to want independence for themselves. Below is a list of teenage depression symptoms to look out for.

Signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers.

Tearfulness and frequent crying.
Sadness and hopelessness.
Anger and being irritable.
Backing away and avoiding close friends and family.
Complete lack of interest in activities they loved.
Changes in sleeping and eating habits.
Agitation and restlessness.
Feeling worthless and guilty.
Lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
Being tired and lack of energy.
No concentration.
Feeling suicidal or thinking about death.

If you are unsure if your teenager is depressed or (just being a teenager) think about how long this has been going on, how different the teenager is from his usual self and how severe the behavior is. Long lasting changes in behavior and mood are warning signs for a deeper problem. A depressed teenager maybe grumpy, easily frustrated and has frequent angry outbursts. Depressed teenagers complain about headaches and stomach aches more often. They can't take criticism, rejection or failure. Some teenagers may keep a few close friends, but most with depression with withdraw themselves from close friends and family or hang around with a different crowd.

Untreated depression can lead to many problems. At school it can cause low grades, poor attendance and frustration. Teenagers can also feel they have to get away from home. This is a cry for help. Some teenager might take drink and drugs to ease their problems, but this usually makes it worse. Also depression in teenagers can lead to eating disorders. Also too much time on Internet can be sign of getting away from it all. Teenagers with depression can self harm, most teenagers who do this have depression. Some depressed teenagers may become violent and outrageous. Depressed teenagers often talk or think about suicide.

Suicide in teenagers is increasing in number. Suicide is the third cause of death in 15 - 24 year old age range. Depression plays the major role and if the teenager drinks alcohol or takes drugs, the risk of suicide is extremely higher. Things to watch out for in a suicidal teenager are talking and joking about suicide. Teenagers saying things like "I'd be better off dead". Saying things like "people will love me more if I am dead". Saying goodbye to people as if it where for ever. Looking for pills and other weapons. Giving away the things that meant so much to them.

If you suspect that a teenager in your life has depression, take action straight away. Do not wait for the symptoms to go away, depression is very damaging left untreated. Even if you are unsure the emotion and behavior of the teenager are still signs of some problem. It needs to be sorted out. The sooner the better, if it is depression.

Talk to your teenager in a Non judging way. Talk lovingly, but share your own concerns with the teenager. Tell them the signs of depression and that you have notice some signs with him or her. Encourage the teenager to talk to you. Do not be patronizing or crowd the teenager. If they do not want to talk at first, try again later. Tell them you are there for them no matter what. Do not criticize or argue if you do not like what you hear if they begin to talk. Be sympathetic about the pain and sadness they feel.

Remember if you see depressions warning signs please seek professional help for your teenager. There are many doctors and specialists there to help you and your teen.

Supporting a teenager through depression and be tough on all the family. Be open about it. Do not tiptoe around the idea with family members. Its better to talk. Be understanding to your teenager even if you feel rejection or agitation. Remember your teenager is not being difficult. It is suffering. Encourage you teenager to go out or do activities they enjoy. Encourage their friends to come around if your teenager will not go out. Learn about depression anyway you can and you and especially your teen will get through it.