Teen Depression Warning Signs

as we all know teenagers can be very hard to read. the problem with that is that they need us to read them, especially if we suspect that they are depressed. occasional sadness is normal but there are a lot of other signs that can lead you to suspect more. one symptom does not mean your teen is depressed. it is very normal for a teen to have mood swings but if they are more low than high, be aware.

the most common symptoms of depression can include: sad or irritable mood, loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed, and large changes in weight or appetite. Other signs include: loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping. If they have, slow or agitated movement, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, or frequent thoughts of death or suicide you should be concerned. if your teen has some of these symptoms for more that a few weeks, without cause (death in the family, etc.), then you may need to seek professional help.

There are other symptoms that can be noticeable too: common symptoms of depression include: reckless behavior (beyond the norm for them), frequent headaches, muscle aches, stomach aces or tiredness without a medical cause. more symptoms are: poor performance in school, absences, talk or efforts of running away from home, being bored and sulking. They may exhibit a lack of interest in friends and family.they may be self-medicating with alcohol or substance abuse. they may show a fear of death. They may show extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure. there my be a marked difference with clothing and appearance (this would be along the neglect side of things) along with increased anger, crying, or hostility. They may begin having more difficulty with social situations, friends and relationships.

take these signs seriously. these signs can mean other things like problems with health or school but talk to your teen and try to feel them out. depression is a disease. it is caused by a chemical imbalance. it is not something that someone can just "shake off" or come out of.

sometimes counseling can help. there are some vitamins that can sometimes help. then, of course, there are anti-depressant medications that can help. the down side of the medications is that they can sometimes make symptoms worse and can cause suicide. you really have to watch your child. all depression does not mean your teen is suicidal or will become suicidal. it just means that your teen is in a very sad and lonely place that they can not get out of by themselves.