In 2023, we are no stranger to people discussing the recent increase of mental illnesses among teens. While it is true that increased stress, decreased connection, and a multitude of other factors may be contributing to our youth’s overall mental distress, we also have seen a rapid increase of people acknowledging and talking about their mental struggles. More people getting diagnosed seeking support is actually hopeful when we consider how far we have come from the days of “don’t ask, don’t tell”. 

If you yourself are wondering if you have depression, you are not alone! 1 in 5 people struggles with a mental illness of some sort, and depression is one of the most common mental illnesses out there. If you are a loved one or parent of a teen that you think may be struggling with depression, thank you for taking these steps to support and understand your loved one. It does make a difference!

While the symptoms of depression are the same for a teen as for an adult, they sometimes show up in slightly different ways. Below, we will discuss the nine signs that you or your teen may have depression, and we’ll discuss certain ways it may show up specifically for a teenager. For it to be considered diagnosable, five of the following symptoms need to be present for at least two weeks.

NOTE: this is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace therapy or a diagnosis from a licensed therapist. 

Depressed Mood

The first seems the most straight-forward, but it can show up in diverse ways. Teens experiencing depression will experience a prolonged mood of sadness and emptiness. It is common, however, that they may mask this feeling with distractions (escaping into games, movies, etc.), anger/irritability (being faster to snap or seeming more on-edge), and isolation. Depression often gets missed in teenagers because they are trying so hard to be “acceptable” by what they think they should be, that it is not uncommon for them to hide their sadness in favor of other expressions.

Lack of Interest

Depression saps our interest in things. The hobbies, people, or activities which we used to find joy in suddenly seem completely unappealing. In teenagers, it is normal for them to discard old interests in favor of new ones, but if it seems that no new interests take their place, or even the things they say they’d like to do never sound fun in the moment, it is possible they may be struggling with depression. It’s especially important to see if this lasts for a while and seems to be present in multiple areas of their life (school, home, friends, extracurricular activities, etc.).

Increase or Decrease in Sleep

Teens struggling with depression frequently experience an increase or decrease in the amount of sleep they get. This can be hard to tell, because in general teens tend to have shifting sleep needs, and it is common for them to want to stay up late and wake up late. If it seems that this lack or surplus of sleep happens regardless of if they are doing a particular activity (i.e. staying up to read or play video games), it may warrant attention. If your teen seems to struggle with sleep, get curious about what may be causing it. Teens with depression may struggle to sleep due to intense feelings of sadness or guilt, or they may stay in bed due to lack of energy or interest in daily activities.

Guilt

Depression is characterized by intense feelings of guilt and worthlessness. This can be challenging to spot in others (especially teens), because it feels so vulnerable and scary to share. If your teen does tell you that they are struggling with feelings of worthlessness, then that may be a clear indicator of depression. Even if they do not share these feelings out loud, they may still be wrestling with them. Keep an eye out for self-deprecating jokes, fear of trying new things, getting angry or stressed whenever things may indicate they are not “good enough”, isolating themselves, defensiveness, over apologizing, seeming to try to take up less space, or art/music which conveys a feeling of being “less-than”. When in doubt, try telling your teen that it is normal to have feelings of not being good enough, and then invite them to share if they ever have these feelings with you. They may or may not take you up on the invitation, but by inviting and not pushing the issue, you make yourself a safe space for if/when they are ready to open up to you.

Lack of Energy

Along the same lines as decreased interest, depression saps an individual of energy to accomplish things. A teen may come out and say they are just feeling “so tired” frequently. Depression can also look like them hesitating more to do daily tasks, spending more time scrolling online, or having a difficult time getting momentum going in any task/expectation. Certainly, all these things can also indicate something other than depression, but if this lack of energy feels prevalent in multiple areas of your teen’s life, it may be an additional indicator of depression.

Difficulty Concentrating 

Most teenagers will struggle to concentrate at times. They may daydream or get bored. If they have anxiety, they may be struggling to concentrate due to ruminating on stressful thoughts. Or if they have ADHD, they may struggle to concentrate due to the many thoughts going through their mind or the hyperfixation on something other than the designated task. For depression, however, difficulty concentrating often is characterized by lack of energy, interest, and increased self-deprecating thoughts. It may not be that their minds are diverted by something else–sometimes their minds simply feel so bogged down that they can’t seem to get the concentration to focus on anything.

Increased or Decreased Appetite 

Again, many teenagers experience fluctuating diets, but if you notice a marked increase or decrease in their eating habits in line with four or more of the additional symptoms, this may indicate depression. If these fluctuations are not accompanied by a change in activity or access, this can especially indicate that something is different. 

Decreased Movement

Not only do teens experiencing depression have decreased energy and decreased interest, but even in moments when they gain interest and energy, the level of engagement seems to be less. They often struggle to get moving or may move more slowly due to the internal weight they are experiencing. 

Suicidal thoughts

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a teenager to experience thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves or end their life. Regardless of the other symptoms, if your teen states anything about wanting to die, it could be beneficial to seek professional help in order to help them identify and heal from whatever pain is causing those thoughts. It is important for them to know that they are not alone, that even these intense thoughts and feelings deserve to be heard, and that there is hope of recovery! If you suspect your teen may be having these thoughts, know that asking them directly can help them feel seen and can give you the information you need to keep them safe.

*If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 or text 741741 today to get support.

Summary

So many of our loved ones experience these intense symptoms every day. If anyone you know experiences even one of the above-mentioned symptoms, offer them love, validation, and support. If you yourself experience any of the symptoms, know that others have been where you are and they are ready and willing to help you along. Though depression feels like a dark and lonely hole, there is hope and healing! 

If you or a loved one are struggling with the experiences described above, therapy may be the right option for you! Click the button below or call 1-801-687-9509 to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with a therapist to see if this is a good fit for you.