Recognizing teen depression

Your teen is more at risk for depression if:

• Mood disorders run in your family.
• They experience a stressful life event like a death in the family, divorcing parents, bullying, a break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or failing in school.
• They have low self-esteem and are very critical of themselves.
• Your teen is a girl. Teen girls are twice as likely as boys to have depression.
• Your teen has trouble being social.
• Your teen has learning disabilities.
• Your teen has a chronic illness.
• There are family problems or problems with their parents.

If your teen is depressed, you may see some of the following common symptoms of depression. If these symptoms last for 2 weeks or longer, talk to your teen's health care provider.

• Frequent irritability with sudden bursts of anger.
• More sensitive to criticism.
• Complaints of headaches, stomach aches or other body problems. Your teen may go to the nurse's office at school a lot.
• Withdrawal from people like parents or some friends.
• Not enjoying activities they usually like.
• Feeling tired for much of the day.
• Sad or blue feelings most of the time.

Notice changes in your teen's daily routines that can be a sign of depression. Your teen's daily routines can change when they are depressed. You may notice that your teen has:

• Trouble sleeping or is sleeping more than normal
• A change in eating habits, such as not being hungry or eating more than usual
• A hard time concentrating
• Problems making decisions

Changes in your teen's behavior may also be a sign of depression. They could be having problems at home or school:

• Drop in school grades, attendance, not doing homework
• High-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, unsafe sex, or shoplifting
• Pulling away from family and friends and spends more time alone
• Drinking or using drugs

Teens with depression may also have:

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia)

If you are worried that your teen is depressed, arrange for your teen to see a health care provider. The provider may perform a physical exam and order blood tests to make sure your teen does not have a medical problem.

The provider should talk to your teen about:

• Their sadness, irritability, or loss of interest in normal activities
• Signs of other mental health problems, such as anxiety, mania, or schizophrenia
• Risk of suicide or other violence and whether your teen is a danger to themselves or others

The provider should ask about drug or alcohol abuse. Depressed teens are at risk for:

• Heavy drinking
• Regular marijuana (pot or weed) use
• Other drug use

The provider may speak with other family members or your teen's teachers. These people can often help identify signs of depression in teenagers.

Be alert to any signs of suicide plans. Notice if your teen is:

• Giving possessions to others
• Saying good-bye to family and friends
• Talking about dying or committing suicide
• Writing about dying or suicide
• Having a personality change
• Taking big risks
• Withdrawing and wanting to be alone

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.

You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.

If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.

Most teenagers feel down sometimes. Having support and good coping skills helps teens through down periods.

Talk with your teen often. Ask them about their feelings. Talking about depression will not make the situation worse, and may help them to get help sooner.

Get your teen professional help to deal with low moods. Treating depression early may help them feel better sooner, and may prevent or delay future episodes.

Contact your teen's provider if you notice any of the following in your teen:

• Depression is not improving or is getting worse
• Nervousness, irritability, moodiness, or sleeplessness that is new or getting worse
• Side effects of medicines

American Psychiatric Association website. Depressive disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.

Bostic JQ, Prince JB, Buxton DC. Child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 69.

US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, Nicholson WK, et al. Screening for depression and suicide risk in children and adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2022;328(15):1534-1542. PMID: 36219440 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36219440/.

Updated by: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.