We thought Stacy Lloyd’s piece for EmpowHER about teenage depression warning signs was worth sharing here. If you know (or are) a teen exhibiting any of these symptoms, it may be worth seeking the opinion of a mental health professional. Following is an excerpt from the article with a link below to the full text.
Research shows that one out of every eight adolescents suffers from depression, according to the federal Center for Mental Health Services. But depression and the serious problems that accompany it, can be treated.
Depression isn’t just feeling sad — it’s much more than that. It is a serious condition that involves discouragement, despair and hopelessness that can last for weeks, months or longer.
Given normal teenage moodiness, it might be hard to discern between that and depression. Here are some signs of depression in teens.
Be alert for teens who are having feelings of guilt, worthlessness, fixation on past failures, or inflated self-blame or self-criticism, advises the Mayo Clinic.
Depressed teens can be extremely sensitive to failure or rejection, and may need more than what might be considered a normal amount of reassurance.