Watch for the early signs

Early signs of teenage depression may be hard to recognize because they can be similar to the normal ups and downs teenagers experience. Occasional melancholy, bad moods, and short periods of feeling down are common for most teens. However, ongoing loss of interest in life and extreme irritability are red flags for depression. A depressed teenager will withdraw from family and friends and generally appear to be lifeless, bored, tired, uninterested and uninvolved.

A parent’s death, divorce, moving, or breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend are common triggers for teen depression. Change of any type, especially too many changes too quickly, can also be a factor. Things that prompt depression in adults, including too much stress, hormonal changes and medical conditions like low thyroid, also cause teen depression. It’s important to seek professional help if signs of depression last more than two weeks. Many effective treatments, including some without medication, are available for teen depression.

Signs of depression include:

• Eating and sleeping too much or too little
• Frequent health complaints when nothing is physically wrong
• Sudden poor performance in school.
• Some teens may act out with drugs, alcohol, and other high-risk behaviors.