Summer is coming to a close. Seems like there is less and less summer with the passing of each year. For emotionally vulnerable teens summer break can cut both ways. On the one hand there is less pressure, academic and social, and these adolescents seem to need less mental health care in the summer months (teen therapists are less busy and teen hospital units are not at capacity). On the other hand, especially for kids in unstable homes or suffering from critical socio-economic factors, the school year does provide structure, supervision and nutrition that is not necessarily available at home.
With the new school year practically here I thought it would be handy to review some of the Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents.
Here are some things to look for:
- Increased sadness and loneliness
- Easily irritated or angered
- Frequent mood swings
- Increased tearfulness and crying
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Loss of interest in activities
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Loss of weight
- Restlessness and agitation
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Lack of motivation or enthusiasm
- Lack of Energy
- Difficulty paying attention or concentrating
- Self harming behaviors (cutting, burning etc.)
- Thoughts of death and suicide
All teens (all people for that matter) experience all of these from time to time. The trick is to look for signs and symptoms that appear persistent. We all have mood changes that are fleeting but when a dark mood combined with one or more of the symptoms above persists for more than a few weeks it is time to seek help.
Pay attention. Adolescent don't always communicate directly about how they are feeling. Often it's in their actions that they are speaking to you.
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