Recognizing Clinical Depression in Teens
 

It’s not at all uncommon for teens to experience feelings of anger and anxiety they don’t understand how to manage. Anger and anxiety issues are a part of the experience of adolescence for many, and working through these issues in a positive way remains an essential part of the learning process. Many teens feel burdened with feelings that they will inherit the world of their parents, and worry what role they’ll play in it. This burden cause’s added stress often times to an already difficult growth period. Psychologists and philosophers always say, “There is no growth without tears.” The major concern however should be when a teen’s anger and anxiety issues seem to become so severe that it is unbearable for them to manage day to day tasks. It is at this point where professional help should be sought out to help manage the challenges at hand.

Despite the fact that teens may often appear happy or carefree during their adolescence, it’s advisable to make sure that their otherwise elated mood is not masking underlining issues of depression. In fact in some cases, elated moods that seem out of the ordinary can be signs of a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder, of evidence of possible substance abuse issues. The good news is that often times a seemingly happy teen is just that, a happy teen, with no need for treatment.

Read the tell-tale signs.

Teens naturally outgrow their childhood interests, replacing them with new hobbies and activities. A loss of interest in old pastimes does not signify the onset of depression. What does signify this onset, would be a total lack of interest in all day to day activities at an increasing rate that doesn’t seem to get any better. Teens need time to themselves as well, because at this stage in life respect for their privacy is of great importance to them. It’s very normal for teens to part ways with old friends they knew growing up in grade school and to even spend more time alone. A desire for solitude does not always signal a need for professional consultation, but complete withdrawal and isolation on a consistent basis does.

Many teens feel extremely apprehensive about the demands of adulthood. At the same time a great many of them look forward to it, eagerly expressing their optimism and ambition for life after high school. Often times a clear cut plan for what they want to do once they graduate high school can help motivate them to get through the sometimes challenging day to day school life they experience. Typically teens understand how to motivate themselves in academic performance or sports using long term goals for life after high school as the inspirational key . When a teen shows little or no motivation for anything, parents should become concerned. Although school by no means gives the only barometer of an adolescent’s frame of mind, it remains to be the best place to start. A sudden decline in performance probably has more to do with adolescent rebellion than depression. Sustained failing grades, however, point to a deeper disorder, especially if the teen appears unfazed by poor performance. Overall it’s all about communicating effectively with teens. We were all in their shoes once, and should be motivated by compassion when we empathize with their daily challenges.