Teenage Depression: Why it Happens & How to Help
As a parent, you've known that the teen years would be challenging, but you didn't realize they would be this difficult. Your sweet, gentle, happy, and friendly child is somehow now a completely different person. Your teen is angry, short-tempered, sad, and withdrawn. You may be wondering if it is your parenting and wonder how you can connect again. You wonder if this is their friend's influence. You have no idea what has changed and worry that there is a larger issue at play. Here's why teenage depression happens and how to help.
The Teenage Brain
The teenage brain is structurally different compared to the adult brain. A teenage brain is still growing and developing. This means that certain chemicals in charge of communicating with one another and regulating moods and behavior aren't as prepared for certain situations compared to the adult brain. Teenagers often let their emotions come into play when making decisions. They also show lower serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels, which may contribute to depression.
Inherited Traits
Depression is something that can run in families. It can be passed on from a parent to a child, similar to eye and hair color or height. Typically, depression starts around 15-30 years old. Depression is more common among teenagers with a family history of depression.
Learned Thought Patterns
Another type of exposure similar to an inherited trait is a learned pattern, especially a learned pattern of negative thinking. Negative thinking can mean that the teenager may lack positivity or positive examples of overcoming certain challenges they may face. If a teenager has been regularly exposed to negative thinking, especially from their parents, this can also lead to depression.
Traumatic Life Events/Risk Factors
Traumatic events that occur in children and teenagers can leave a longer-lasting impression compared to the trauma that occurs in adulthood. Children and teenagers aren't as well developed when it comes to applying coping mechanisms to traumatic events. There are several factors that could happen in a teenager's life that may increase their chances or risk of developing depression.
Some of these risk factors include the following:
Abuse—emotional, mental, or physical
Bullying
Chronic Illness
Death in the family
Divorce
Lack of emotional or social support
Sexual orientation struggles—LGBTQIA+
How to Help
One of the best ways to figure out if your teenager may need additional help or support is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of teenage depression, so you know what to look out for. Here are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers:
Agitation or anger
Change in eating habits
Depressed, down, or sad mood
Excessive guilt
Fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Isolation or withdrawal from friends and activities
Lack of concentration
Lack of interest in activities
Thoughts of death or suicide attempts
Weight loss or weight gain
If you suspect your child is struggling with depression, reach out for help as soon as you can. Delaying getting the proper help will only lead to worsening signs and symptoms over time.
Depression is completely treatable once a diagnosis is made. If you believe your child is struggling with depression, don't delay getting the help they need. Reach out today to set up a consultation for teen counseling. We'll work with you and them to determine the best treatment plan and help get them on the healthier path again.
