MedicineNet.com
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


The Cleveland Clinic

Teen Depression

Recognizing Teen Depression

It is common for adolescents to occasionally feel unhappy. However, when the unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks, and the teen experiences other symptoms typical of depression, then he or she may be suffering from depression.

Estimates on how many adolescents experience depression vary from 3% to 6%. At any given time, from 2% to 10% of school-age children are thought to be suffering from depression.

There are many reasons why teenagers become unhappy. High stress environments can lead to depression. Teens can develop feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy over school performance, social interaction, sexual orientation, or family life. If friends or family, or things that the teen usually enjoys, don't help to improve his or her sadness or sense of isolation, there's a good chance that he or she is depressed.

Depression also tends to be more common in adolescents who have a history of depression in their families.

If you believe your teenager is suffering from depression, you should seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

What are the Symptoms of Teen Depression?

Often, depressed teens will display a striking change in their thinking and behavior, lose their motivation, or become withdrawn. The following are the major signs of depression in adolescents.

  • Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
  • Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
  • Withdrawal from friends
  • Rebellious behavior, sudden drop in grades, or cutting school
  • Complaints of pains including headaches, stomachaches, low back pain, or fatigue
  • Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
  • A preoccupation with death and dying


Next: How is depression diagnosed in adolescents? »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • escitalopram, Lexapro - Explains the medication Lexapro (escitalopram) a drug used for treating depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Side effects, dosage, and drug interaction information is included.
  • Depression - Read about depression causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and types, including manic depression (bipolar disorder), postpartum depression and clinical depression.
  • nortriptyline, Pamelor, Aventyl - Defines the medication nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl) a drug used to elevate the mood of patients with depression. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.

Latest Medical News


Emotional Wellness

Get tips on therapy and treatment.




Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Symptoms & Signs by Female Body Region Symptoms & Signs by Male Body Region

Topics Related to Teen Depression


Teen Depression
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Antidepressant Side EffectsAntidepressant Side Effects
A new study says over half of all people treated with antidepressants stop taking them because of side effects. See more WebMD Videos »














Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.