Depression in Teens
Signs and Symptoms of Depression In Teens
Depression in Teens
Depression is a mental condition where the sufferer experiences extreme sadness and loneliness for no apparent reason. It can be caused by several different factors. Depression in teens is different from that of adults. Teenage depression is not just sadness over a failed relationship or low grades. It is usually an effect of something deeper. This condition is very dangerous when not diagnosed and treated immediately. Teenagers who cannot cope with depression at times result to suicide. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for.
- Thoughts of death or suicide. If you observe that your child’s Facebook and Twitter accounts are full of posts about death and dying, it can be a warning sign that she may be depressed.
- Irritability. If your child is usually jolly and easy going and now even the littlest things make her mad or frustrated, it may be a sign of depression in teens.
- Withdrawal from close friends and family. Depression in teens causes its victims to withdraw themselves from the usual people and activities they do for fear of being judged and discriminated because of their sudden change in behavior.
- Grades dipping. When your teenage child is preoccupied with thoughts of hopelessness and sadness, her grades can suffer immensely. She would find it hard to focus on her studies.
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns. Depression in teens affects their weight and sleeping habits. If you see that your child has lost considerable weight over the last few months and she is usually awake in the middle of the night, they may be cause for alarm.
If you observe any of these symptoms in your teenage child, talk to her about your observations and suggest that she see a counselor so her condition would no longer get worse. Depression in teens is more common than you think: millions of teenagers in the United States and all over the world suffer from this mental condition.