Signs & Symptoms of Teen Depression
Depression affects people of all ages but can be particularly insidious when it affects teens. Often it's the first time they've felt this way and they don't know what to do to alleviate it.
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Depression Versus Sadness
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Everyone has normal ups and downs. These feelings are cyclical in nature. Depression is more than feeling blue for a day or two. It is a disease that interferes with a person's normal routine or activities, and it lasts for weeks or months. Depression clouds everything in a person's life. It seems to him as though he were wearing foggy sunglasses on a bright day.
Signs and Symptoms
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If a teen (or anyone else) has five or more of these symptoms most of the time for two or more weeks, he is classified as being depressed:
• Sadness most of the time for what may seem like no reason
• Lack of energy
• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Irritability, anger or anxiety.
• Inability to concentrate
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of death or suicide -
Teen-Specific Signs
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• Lack of motivation
• Poor concentration
• Dropping grades
• Skipping school
Additional signs
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The following conditions are based on depression and a desire to control those feelings.
• Cutting or other self-harm behavior
• Eating disorders
• Alcohol or drug abuse
Getting Help
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Depression is a treatable condition through talk therapy with a licensed therapist and medication. The most important step in getting help is admitting that there is a problem and asking someone you trust for help. If there is no one you feel you can speak with, call a help line.
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