Teen Depression

What is Teen Depression?

What is depression in teens? Depression in teens (ages 13-17) is a serious medical illness. It's more than just a feeling of being sad or "blue" for a few days. It is an intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and anger or frustration that lasts much longer. These feelings make it hard for you to function normally and do your usual activities. You may also have trouble focusing and have no motivation or energy. Depression can make you feel like it is hard to enjoy life or even get through the day. What causes depression in teens? Many factors may play a role in depression, including: Genetics. Depression can run in families. Brain biology and chemistry. Hormones. Hormone changes can contribute to depression. Stressful childhood events such as trauma, the death of a loved one, bullying, and abuse. Which teens are at risk of depression? Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in the teens or early adulthood. Certain teens are at higher risk of depression, such as those who: Have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use Have other diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease Have family members with mental illness Have a dysfunctional family/family conflict Have problems with friends or other kids at school Have learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Have had trauma in childhood Have low self-esteem, a pessimistic outlook, or poor coping skills Are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially when their families are not supportive What are the symptoms of depression in teens? If you have depression, you have one or more of these symptoms most of the time: Sadness Feeling of emptiness Hopelessness Being angry, irritable, or frustrated, even at minor things You also may also have other symptoms, such as: No longer caring about things you used to enjoy Changes in weight, such as losing weight when you are not dieting or gaining weight from eating too much Changes in sleep, such as having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleeping much more than usual Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still Feeling very tired or not having energy Feeling worthless or very guilty Having trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions Thinking about dying or suicide How is depression in teens diagnosed? If you think you might be depressed, tell someone that you trust, such as your: Parents or guardian Teacher or counselor Doctor The next step is to see your doctor for a checkup. Your doctor can first make sure that you do not have another health problem that is causing your depression. To do this, you may have a physical exam and lab tests. If you don't have another health problem, you will get a psychological evaluation. Your doctor may do it, or you may be referred to a mental health professional to get one. You may be asked about things such as: Your thoughts and feelings How you are doing at school Any changes in your eating, sleeping, or energy level Whether you are suicidal Whether you use alcohol or drugs How is depression in teens treated? Effective treatments for depression in teens include talk therapy, or a combination of talk therapy and medicines: Talk therapy Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy or counseling, can help you understand and manage your moods and feelings. It involves going to see a therapist, such as a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, or counselor. You can talk out your emotions to someone who understands and supports you. You can also learn how to stop thinking negatively and start to look at the positives in life. This will help you build confidence and feel better about yourself. There are many different types of talk therapy. Certain types have been shown to help teens deal with depression, including: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you to identify and change negative and unhelpful thoughts. It also helps you build coping skills and change behavioral

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