Recognizing psychological distress
Alarming behaviour in teenagers: When to worry
Recognizing psychological distress
Alarming behaviour in teenagers: When to worry
Reviewed by Stéphanie Deslauriers, psychoeducator
After a sudden and dramatic change in your teen’s behaviour, you notice that they’re having a hard time functioning and can’t seem to get back on their feet. It’s only natural to be worried: Are they just going through a rough patch or could it be depression?
How to tell if your teen is dealing with sadness or depression
When teenagers go through difficult life events like their parents’ divorce or separation, a move, or a break-up, it’s normal for their behaviour to change temporarily. Generally, they’ll start feeling better after a time. This is known as sadness or having the blues.
Depression, on the other hand, is characterized by intense symptoms that last for several weeks with no sign of improvement. If depression is not diagnosed or treated, it can lead to long-term consequences, such as:
- Trouble maintaining positive relationships with others
- A higher risk of dropping out of school
- Drug and/or alcohol use
- In some cases, suicidal thoughts
What are the symptoms of depression in teens?
The main sign to look out for is a change in behaviour, whether gradual or sudden. Teens will rarely admit to suffering from depression, so if communication is strained or at a standstill, it’s important to find out what’s going on and identify the root of the problem.
A teen going through depression will have one or more of the following signs and symptoms.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The main thing to look out for is a change in behaviour, whether gradual or sudden. Teens will rarely admit to suffering from depression, so if communication is difficult or at a standstill, it’s important to monitor what’s going on and identify the root of the problem.
A teen going through a depression will have one or more of the following symptoms.
Beware of false information
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions out there when it comes to depression, particularly where teens are concerned. Take this quiz to see how much you know about depression.
Worried about your teen and wondering how to help?
See what advice we have to offer, and learn how you can support your teen in times of psychological distress.
You can also encourage your teen to check out our tips and take our depression quiz.
Start the quizListen to our podcasts!
The Youth in Mind Foundation and Aidersonenfant.com have teamed up to bring you this podcast series on teenagers and depression (available in French only).
Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.
Need to talk about what you're going through with your teenager?
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Learn about the contributor’s book
ÉLI : Comprendre la dépression à l’adolescence – Stéphanie Deslauriers, Psychoeducator, speaker, and writer
This book is a practical guide that can help teens recognize the signs and risks of depression, feel less alone, and, above all, find concrete tips for how to rebuild a positive self-image and move forward.
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