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Is My Teen Depressed?

If your child is sleeping too much, eating too little, or showing other possible signs of depression, you may be wondering, "Is my teen depressed?" If your teenage child is depressed, there are a number of things you can do to help. Among other things, you can talk with other families in your community; find family network organizations; and get accurate information from the Internet, library, hotlines, or other sources. The first step in helping your child is to have a talk with him or her if you notice behavioral changes or other possible signs of depression.

 

How Do I Tell If My Teenager Is Depressed?

As a parent, you want what is best for your teenager, and you want her to be happy. It was easy for you to take care of her when she was really young. If she fell or scraped a knee, you made the pain disappear by putting on a bandage, wrapping your arms around her, and telling her, "Everything will be okay."
 
Now that your child is getting a little older, a simple hug and a Band-Aid® may not be enough to make him feel better. As your teenager begins to experience life's ups and downs in a more intense way, he may pull away or act out in a manner that leaves you confused, angry, or scared. Your teenager may seem to be in a permanent bad mood, sleeping too much, or eating too little. These are signs that your teenager may be depressed. There are things you can do to help your teenager, however -- and learning more about depression is a great first step!
 
(Click Teen Depression Symptoms for specific symptoms of teenage depression, as well as some questions to think about.)
 
(Is My Teen Depressed? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD