Signs of teenage depression

It can be difficult and to recognise the signs of teenage depression because of all the normal hormonal changes that occur around puberty and the psychological and emotional changes and mood swings that it brings on.

Any moodiness or changes in behaviour that go on for more than a week or two should be noted and observed, It maybe just temporary but teen depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated

Don't just assume they'll get over it, anyone suffering from depression needs to be taken seriously and supported in getting the treatment they need

Depression in teenagers can begin around the age of 14 or 15and it is a treatable condition, so it is important to recognise the signs and get the right treatment for your teenager as soon as possible to avoid their prolonged suffering This maybe in the form of counselling, medication and sometimes both.

It is known that depression can run in families and unhappy situations at home that may occur can cause depression in teens. Prolonged teen depression can be very damaging and lead to major problems at home and school and the whole family can be affected if it left untreated.

If you are a parent and suspect your teen is suffering from depression try and encourage them to talk about it and offer non judgemental support and please seek medical attention in the first instance

The main signs of teenage depression to watch for are:

Prolonged sadness,

Anxiety,

Persistent negative attitude,

Irritability and grumpiness

Lack of enthusiasm

General apathy to life,

Hopelessness,

Loss of confidence,

Low self esteem,

Feelings of being a failure or unworthy

Loss of interest in activities that used be enjoyed,

Life seems to have lost all meaning

Episodes of crying for no apparent reason,

Feeling worthless or guilty,

Angry outbursts

Frustration

Aggressive behaviour

Restlessness,

Rebelliousness

Stealing

Running away

Skipping school

Low energy

Anti social behaviour

Recklessness

Excessive moodiness

Long lasting changes of personality

Cynicism and loss of self belief

Not sleeping at night and feeling tired during the day,

Preoccupation with death or suicide,

Wanting to be alone a lot and withdrawing from friends,

Behaving irresponsibly or irrationally,

Giving personal belogings away

Over-reacting or losing temper over minor incidents

Being oversensitive

Feeling rejected and misunderstood

Neglecting personal care and cleanliness

Difficulty with concentration and making decisions

Forgetfulness

Addiction to computer games and Internet overuse

Frequent headaches, and other aches and pains

Self harming

Violence

Appetite loss or compulsive eating

Anorexia or Bulimia

Binge eating or drinking

Alcohol or drug abuse

They may be other signs of teenage depression present, or you may not observe your teen displaying these particular symptoms, but any signs you suspect should be taken very seriously - studies show that alarmingly large number of teens attempt suicide because they have not been able to get the help they needed

In some cases of mild depression there are some effective herbal treatments 5-HTP and St Johns Wort have shown to been helpful for some people but it's always advisable to check with your doctor first.

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