How to Spot Signs of Depression in your Teen
The teenage years aren't exactly a walk in the park for the teen or the parent. They are tumultuous years filled with shifting hormones, changing bodies, dating, schoolwork, and preparing for the future. It's a lot to handle for teenagers still learning to regulate their emotions while seeking more independence.
It's common for many parents to brush things off that their teen might be going through. Not because they don't care but because they can sometimes be part of "growing pains." Or maybe it's just a mood swing, and they will snap out of it in a day or two. A teenager's mood can definitely be due to that or many other things. However, teenage depression is a real thing that often hides underneath the surface.
If you aren't sure if what your teen is experiencing is just temporary or if they are depressed, keep reading to learn more about signs of depression in teens.
Changes In Sleeping Patterns
Most teenagers aren't known for wanting to wake up early. In fact, the longer they can sleep in, the better for them, it seems. However, if you notice that your teens sleeping habits are changing, it can indicate that they are battling depression.
You might notice that they don't seem to sleep well anymore or constantly feel exhausted. Alternatively, you might notice that not only are they sleeping in more often, but they are also napping more frequently.
Eating Habit Changes
Teenagers, especially boys, seem to be food magnets. From a scientific standpoint, this is mostly due to their bodies needing more fuel as their brains and physical appearances change. So, being hungry isn't usually a cause for concern.
Teenagers who are battling depression, however, have a different relationship with food. Maybe you notice that they seem to be eating a lot after they have an emotionally taxing day. Or, they might not be eating very much or only want junk food. Changes in eating habits that go from one extreme to the other could be a sign that something is troubling them deeply.
More Isolated
Let's face it: most teenagers don't exactly want to hang out with their parents or family at all given times. They want their personal space and freedom to just be alone.
A sign of depression in teenagers is when this becomes extreme. They might stay in their room constantly, only coming out for dinner. They could be isolating themselves from their friends or not spending as much time with them. Social isolation is a sign of depression, regardless of a person's age.
Loss of Interest
Exploring what hobbies or activities interest them is normal for a teenager. They are trying to figure out who they are and what they truly like to do. If you notice your teen jumping around from hobby to hobby, don't worry; that's all just part of the process!
However, maybe you have noticed that they just don't seem very interested in...well, anything. Not even the hobbies or activities that they once loved doing. A classic sign of depression is when there is a sudden loss of interest in pastimes or activities.
Mood Changes
The teenage years aren't exactly full of happy moods 24/7. However, if your teen seems irritated more frequently, this might be their depression manifesting itself. Besides irritability, other signs of shifting moods in a teenager might be:
They are emotional or crying a lot more than normal
They don't laugh as often as they used to
They seem quick to anger
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If you are recognizing these signs of depression in your teenager, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Together, through depression therapy, we can help them find their way out of the darkness and get back to themselves.