By Dr. Gina Fusco, Psy.D., Corporate Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Acute Behavioral Health
Depression can be challenging to identify, particularly in adolescents, as it often manifests differently than in adults. While moodiness and/or emotional upset can be a common behavior of a teenager, there are additional early signals that might indicate a more serious mental health condition, such as depression.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that 5 million adolescents in the United States experience depression. In 2021-2022, the CDC also reported that 17% of adolescents ages 12-17 indicated depression symptoms in the past two weeks. At Acute Behavioral Health, we empathize with these concerns. There is great importance in identifying symptoms early and intervening to provide help and support a health journey toward healing. The good news is that you don’t have to do so alone.
With any concerns or changes in your child’s mental and/or physical health, keeping your family’s pediatrician or primary care physician informed is key to ensure all aspects of an adolescent’s healthcare are addressed. As with adults, any suggestion or threat of self-harm or other harm is cause to seek help immediately.
The following are some early signs of depression in adolescents that parents and caregivers should watch for – some may surprise you. While these signs can help in identifying concerns, a qualified mental or medical health provider can formally provide the diagnosis of depression. Learn more about them, as well as recent research findings connected to symptoms of depression:
- Changes in Sleep Patterns. Unusual sleep patterns are often one of the first physical signs of depression. Teens may begin sleeping significantly more than usual or, conversely, struggle with insomnia. The key is to monitor whether these changes are impacting their day-to-day routine or well-being. It’s true that late nights or sleeping in can be common for a teenager, but if your child continues to sleep through long periods during the day or begins a habit of staying up late, it could be tied to feelings of depression. Sleep is essential for emotional regulation, and a disruption could be both a symptom of and a contributor to depressive symptoms.
- Persistent Sadness or Irritability. While some adolescents may experience ups and downs, consistent or intense sadness, hopelessness, or irritability that lasts for more than two weeks may be a sign of depression. Unlike adults, whose depression often presents with outright sadness, teens tend to also display irritability, anger or frustration, which can be easily mistaken for moodiness sometimes viewed as “typical” teenage moodiness. However, if this behavior persists or begins to impact their daily life such as relationships, academic performance or general well-being, it may be time to seek the support of a professional or team.
- Loss of Interest in Activities They Once Enjoyed. Another common early indicator of depression is losing interest in activities that were previously enjoyed, such as sports, social events, or hobbies. This could appear as withdrawing from friends and family or spending excessive time alone. With isolation, a negative cycle can be formed. Feeling depressed, an adolescent may seek to be alone, and in being alone, experiences more sadness. Encouraging open communication and exploring why they may be withdrawing from a group or individuals can help bring a greater understanding of their experiences, and in some situations help to identify other problems that may be occurring, such as bullying and/or abuse. Gentle prompts to re-engage with activities and loved ones they are comfortable with can sometimes help to move their thoughts away from negative internal experiences to more enjoyable external activities.
- Increased Screen Time with a Clear Connection to Mental Health. One of the more nuanced signs of teenage depression is related to increased screen time. A study from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) project found a significant association between higher screen time and depressive symptoms in teens. Excessive use of texting, social media, and video games were linked to intensified symptoms. This may be due to the lack of emotional depth experienced and minimal connectedness within the one-dimensional social interactions that exist on these platforms. Experiencing connection and emotional depth are crucial during adolescence. In addition, social media has shown to be a platform through which adolescents compare themselves to each other, which can ultimately result in lower self-esteem, negative self-image, and sometimes depression.
- Physical Complaints Without an Apparent Cause. For depressed teens, there may not always be a verbalization of their emotional distress, but it could also come in the form of physical ailments or complaints. This could include headaches stomachaches, or general fatigue – seemingly without any clear cause. These somatic symptoms are sometimes disregarded but can be critical indications that something more could be occurring. It is important to not overlook these symptoms, especially if they are persistent, and be sure that your pediatrician or family primary care physician provides support to ensure there are no underlying medical problems.
Taking the Next Steps
Depression is a serious mental health condition, but with early intervention, it can be managed effectively. At Acute Behavioral Health, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that focuses on the individual needs of each teen we work with. Our team works closely with families to develop personalized treatment plans, ensuring that both the patient and their caregivers receive the support they need for long-term healing.
If your teen is struggling, take the first step toward healing by talking with them directly. Keep the lines of communication open and let them know you’re there to help.
If you or a loved one are suicidal or in emotional distress, you can also call or text 988, or chat online to connect with the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Gina Fusco, Psy.D., is the Corporate Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Acute Behavioral Health, a behavioral health platform for psychiatric residential treatment facilities dedicated to helping adolescents navigate their mental health journey. She has a 25-year career in behavioral healthcare with extensive executive, clinical, and operational experience.