Teens can be tough to figure out. Could your kid be depressed? Or is it just the common mood swings and angst of the teen years? Here’s how to tell.
Do you know what the current leading cause of death is for young women?
Most people might consider accidents, disease, or risks associated with childbirth. Unfortunately, new data compiled from around the world shows that suicide is now responsible for the most deaths in young women. The report examined six global regions and every region, except Africa, found that suicide was either first or rated in the top three causes of deaths for 15 to 19 year old girls.
As a parent, this shocking realization is hard to digest. We have all witnessed moody or sad behaviors in our teens. It is almost a rite of passage for a teen to exhibit mood swings or be short-tempered. This can cause a lot of sleepless nights for parents, because it is often difficult to differentiate the symptoms between depression and normal teen behaviors.
Is This Normal? Understanding Typical Teen Behavior
Adolescent development is often accompanied with a teen’s sudden withdrawal from his or her parents as he or she begins forming their own self-identity. This process is normal and often is accompanied by moodiness, short-tempers, and a sudden embarrassment of their parents. Peers and friends suddenly take on a more important role, which often leaves parents feeling isolated from their child.
As teens seek privacy and autonomy, they might spend a lot of hours secluded in their bedroom or scrolling social media. This desire for privacy allows teens to contemplate who they are becoming, identifying goals, and forming their philosophies toward life. Allowing teens this space will help them become independent and self-aware.
However, there might be times where you question a child’s defensiveness or reactions to parental input. It’s natural for teenagers to balk at a parent’s intrusion, but there are cues to watch for if you question if a child is displaying healthy emotions or mental stability.
Red Flag Behaviors That Signal Depression
Teen behaviors might be dicey when it comes to parental involvement, but they should still enjoy hanging out with friends or activities away from the home. Dr. Nadja N. Reilly, a board member of the Harvard Mental Health Letter and director of Swensrud Depression Prevention Initiative at Children’s Hospital Boston, recommends parents pay close attention to a teen’s behavior to help determine if a teen is exhibiting a normal teenage attitude or something serious is brewing under that angst.
Dr. Reilly recommends parents pay close attention to the following three behaviors:
If the deterioration in mood or behaviors is noticeable for more than two weeks, this could be a strong indicator that your child is depressed. It’s normal for there to be fluctuations in a teen’s mood, but generally there is improvement after a day or two.
Depression often shows up in pronounced anger, irritation, or sadness in teens. If you notice changes in a teen’s sleep schedule, eating habits, alcohol or drug use, and a withdrawal from peers this could signal depression. Be extremely alert if a child talks of hopelessness, worthlessness, pain, and mentions suicide.
A noticeable shift in how a teen is functioning in everyday activities. Has her school work taken a turn for the worse? Does she still keep in touch with her friends? These problems could be an indicator that a teen is suffering from depression and not just reacting to a certain situation.
What to do if You Suspect Depression
Thankfully, if a parent is worried that a child is suffering from depression, plenty of help is available. The first and most crucial step is understanding your child has a medical problem. It is not something to be ashamed of, and it’s not your fault—nor your child’s. Seek counsel from your family doctor, ask the school psychologist for referrals to therapist, and educate yourself at the American Psychological Association’s site. Take what you learn about depression to intervene and monitor a child’s activity to stay on top of the depression.
While most teens are not clinically depressed, especially to the point of being suicidal, a lot of teen behaviors can send mixed messages and bring worry to parents. That’s why all parents of teenagers should have a good understanding of what’s typical and what isn’t. Taking the extra time to address a child’s depression might keep our child from becoming another statistic.
