Teenage Depression is Real: 3 Subtle Signs to Watch for in Your Teen

As the number of instances of teenage- depression continues to grow in the United States, the importance of addressing this issue has become increasingly clear. In a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that 17% of teens (ages 12-17) experienced symptoms of depression.

The Importance of Recognizing Teenage Depression

Supporting teens on their mental health journey has emerged as a key focus for parents, educators, and society, prompting us to explore the most effective ways to help and empower the next generation. For parents, a crucial first step is recognizing the key signs of teenage depression.

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a serious mental health condition that affects your teen’s mood, behavior, and ability to function at school, at home, or with their friends. It can be difficult to tell if your teen is depressed because many depression symptoms are also common adolescent behaviors, like appetite changes or lack of energy. However, with depression, these symptoms are usually more severe, and they last for a longer period (weeks or months at a time).

How to Spot Teenage Depression

For a teen struggling with depression, they might feel sad for weeks or even months at a time. Their mood does not seem to improve, or they do not “brighten up” when good things happen. To them, it might be hard for them to remember a time when they weren’t sad. They might have trouble concentrating in class, may not be interested in their hobbies, have difficulty sleeping, or sleep too much.

Parents need to notice if their teen is acting differently. Did your teen previously hang out with their friends, but now they spend all their free time in their room alone? Or does your teen who was a straight-A student now struggle to turn in assignments, and suddenly find themselves on the verge of failing? In addition to what has already been mentioned, there are also three subtle signs to watch for in your teen that could also indicate they might be struggling with depression.

The First Sign of Teenage Depression

Teens can be moody – an understatement if you are a parent of a teen or remember what it was like to be fifteen. This moodiness, which usually shows itself as anger or irritability, is a normal part of adolescent development. Amid significant hormonal, cognitive, and personal changes, teenagers are learning how to manage their emotions.

Usually, when your teen is angry or irritated there is a specific reason why, and these feelings are usually temporary. However, a subtle sign that your teen might be struggling with depression is if you notice they are much more irritable or angry than usual.

Lauren Allerhand, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, writes, “What we see with younger kids and teenagers is they’re always feeling annoyed or feeling on edge. They always appear to be a little bit frustrated, like they’re simmering under the surface,” For those teens, Dr. Allerhand writes, “It’s like an inability to experience positive emotions. They’re waffling between this irritability and low mood.”

If you notice your teen is irritated or angry no matter the situation and it lasts for a longer duration of time, I encourage parents to check in with their teen. Ask them how they have been feeling and if there has been something at school or home that may be affecting their mood. Having these conversations can help parents determine if a specific situation is causing the increased agitation or if it might be depression.

The Second Sign of Teenage Depression

Another subtle sign of depression for teens is unexplained stomach aches and pains. Depression can manifest as physical symptoms like headaches, and back or joint pain even when there is no physical explanation for it. For example, there is a strong connection between our gastrointestinal system (gut) and the brain.

Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed or anxious, you might suddenly feel sick to your stomach? That is because our brain is triggering a stress response which can then be felt in our gut and causes us to feel sick.

Because emotional stress can affect gut function, when your teen is feeling depressed, their body may react and cause them to have unexplainable stomach aches. If your teen frequently experiences these physical symptoms, it could be helpful to consult with your teen’s doctor for further testing and possible treatment.

The Third Sign of Teenage Depression

The third subtle sign of depression that can often go unnoticed is feelings of persistent feelings of worthlessness or guilt. During adolescence, teens develop their identity and sense of self, but it is not fully formed until you are a young adult. For those with depression, it can further impact and skew their self-image, causing them to hyper-fixate on their perceived failures and shortcomings rather than their strengths.

You might hear your teen say, “Everything I do is wrong”, or “I will never be good enough”. In my work with teens, I dedicate a substantial amount of time to addressing these underlying feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Through counseling, we can reframe these beliefs and help rebuild their self-esteem.

Next Steps

Teens with depression often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation from their family and friends. During these difficult times, support from loved ones can help them feel less alone. If you suspect your teen may be struggling with depression, I encourage you to talk with them and see if they’re open to meeting with a counselor.

Counseling offers a safe environment for your teen to explore their feelings and develop coping and communication skills to manage their symptoms. With the right support, your teen can begin to feel like themselves again. If you are interested in scheduling a session for your teen, please call our offices at (496) 333-6163 to schedule a risk-free session.