Overview

Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your teenager thinks, feels, and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional, and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults.

Symptoms

Teen depression signs and symptoms include a change from the teenager's previous attitude and behavior that can cause significant distress and problems at school or home, in social activities, or in other areas of life.

When to See a Doctor

If depression signs and symptoms continue, begin to interfere in your teen's life, or cause you to have concerns about suicide or your teen's safety, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional trained to work with adolescents. Your teen's family doctor or pediatrician is a good place to start. Or your teen's school may recommend someone.

Causes

It's not known exactly what causes depression, but a variety of issues may be involved. These include brain chemistry, hormones, inherited traits, early childhood trauma, and learned patterns of negative thinking.

Risk Factors

Many factors increase the risk of developing or triggering teen depression, including issues that negatively impact self-esteem, exposure to violence, other mental health conditions, learning disabilities, chronic physical illnesses, personality traits, substance abuse, and being part of an unsupportive environment.

Complications

Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioral, and health problems that affect every area of your teenager's life. Complications related to teen depression may include alcohol and drug misuse, academic problems, family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and suicide attempts or suicide.

Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies may help. Encourage your teenager to take steps to control stress, increase resilience, boost self-esteem, reach out for friendship and social support, get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem, and maintain ongoing treatment if recommended.