Ten Signs of Teen Depression

Are you a parent and worried your teen may be suffering from depression? Do not fret. There are many parents who either suffer from depression themselves or have children who suffer from depression as well. They are not alone, many teens have depression. As a sufferer myself, I can share my experiences with the disease and to give you signs that many parents are not aware of. What many parents do not understand or realize is the signs of depression could many other diseases as well. There is no common symptom that is a like.

The first thing to understand with teen depression is to understand teenagers themselves. Everyone has been a teenager at one point in their lifetime. The occasion disappointments are clearly not the same thing as depression. Depression is much deeper and should be more concerning than a few disappointments in a one person's life.

Withdrawal has been one of the most common symptoms of depression. Most teenagers are social and wish to be around other teens. This withdrawal is something that should be a concern. A teenager is often withdrawn from their parents but if it seems to be more than usual, something could be wrong with them.

The change in the appetite is a big concern, parents should be aware of. Why? Teenagers, especially boys have a very big appetite. Usually in females, they become more aware of what they eat; this results in some type of eating disorders such as anorexia, or bulimia. Smaller portions may be a sign of the change of appetite.

Most teenagers will have some dark thoughts. Those thoughts are either of death or suicide. These thoughts are something that should never be played with. A parent should seek immediate help if your teenager or child has these types of thoughts. It is a serious sign not to take lightly.

Interest in school activities or even hanging with friends may be a clear sign of depression. Usually with this sign it may be depend on how long the loss of interest takes place. One time of not being interest in something, doesn't usually mean depression may be a concern.

Lack of concentration is often the road to depression. Teenagers, who suffer from depression, cannot concentrate on various tasks. Their normal routine becomes alter due to the lack of concentration which is due to the depression. Concentration helps to lead a normal lifestyle. Without it, it is hard to complete any tasks on a day to day basis.

Mood swings have become altered due to the mental state of depression. The mental state of a depressed teenager is altered. The mood swings of a teenager are never quite the same. But with depression it is twisted and becomes a constant roller coaster. The mood swings are never the same and is constantly changing.

Guilt and worthlessness are feelings that are often associated with depression. I know personally the feelings of worthlessness and guilt. It isn't a pleasant feeling to experience. Many teenagers experience these feelings for a short period of time. These feelings usually do not last long. But in the depressive state, the feelings linger on longer.

Crying is a clear sign of depression. Crying helps to release the pain the person may be feeling. But if the crying becomes more frequently, than it is depression. Something may be wrong if crying becomes more frequently. Crying doesn't always mean something is wrong. They could be happy but always.

Anger is something that should be looked into. Angry moods are a clear sign that depression is just around the corner for the teenager. Teenagers are always angry about something. And depression can be an angry disorder.

Agitation is similar to anger. But isn't that similar. Agitation is like if someone is constantly bugging that person. The depressed teen will become irritated and agitated with the person. It doesn't necessary mean a person, it could be a situation.

These signs are not always a symptom of depression. The main concern is to know what your child is like. So when depression is a concern, you will know if the teenager is depressed or not. The tip to remember with depression in teens is to know that all these signs mentioned affect teenagers in all different ways. No symptom affects everyone the same way.

Always approach the teen in a calm manner. You do not want to scare the teen. Do not judge the teen for their behavior or their thoughts and feelings. As a person who has experienced depression since her early teens, I have experienced every symptom related to depression. A teen that is approached in an angry manner, they become even more withdrawn. Approach them with love, calm and understanding. It is one of the best ways to address or approach a depressed teen.

http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm