What Does Teen Depression Feel Like?

One of the most common mental health issues for teens is depression. However, it can also be one of the most challenging to diagnose as the symptoms may not always be evident. Luckily, there are treatment options that can prove very effective. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you determine if therapy, medication, or visiting residential teen treatment centers will be most effective. Here, we’re taking a closer look into this common mental health condition to try to understand how it feels, the common symptoms, and what you can do to help someone experiencing this condition.

What is Teenage Depression?

First things first: what is this condition? Depression is more than feeling sad. It’s a real mental health issue that affects millions of people of all ages. Depression can make daily life feel almost impossible According to the renowned American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression, clinically known in the field as major depressive disorder, is a “common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and even how you act.”

While often characterized by sadness and isolation, teen depression in particular can also be expressed through anger, irritability, and erratic behavior. If left untreated, teen depression can even eventually lead to additional health complications.

How Can You Identify Teen Depression?

Each individuals experience with teen depression is, of course, unique. Depending on the severity of the issue, the person’s environment, and the level of support, teens can deal with significant depression symptoms. While most individuals will not experience every symptom, most just express a few.

So that you can know what to look out for, we’ve compiled some of the most common teen depression symptoms. Again, experiencing one doesn’t mean you have depression, but it can be a warning sign to seek out professional help.

Some of the most common teen depressions symptoms include:

• A need to be isolated.
• Low self-esteem.
• Irritability or aggression.
• Long periods of sadness.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Trouble focusing on school or with family.
• Changes to their regular eating habits.
• Drug or alcohol usage.
• Thoughts of self-harm.
• Difficulty making friends or keeping up relationships.

If your teen expresses many of these symptoms, it may be the right time to sit down and have an honest conversation. Then, you can seek help together.

What Does This Mental Health Issue Feel Like?

As a loving parent, you already know how difficult it can be to know how your child is really feeling. But it’s helpful to try to understand what this condition actually feels like. Especially for teens, depression can be accompanied with confusion, guilt, and even anger. Why am I feeling this way? Without the experience or resources to assess their own condition, teens may become irritable or quickly lose hope that they can ever feel good again. Of course, this isn’t actually true, and it’s important for you as the parent to be there to remind them.

Depression, for some individuals, may also lead to symptoms like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt. These are the true times when your teenager needs positive support more than ever. Depression can make someone intensely sensitive to critique and negative feedback can cause them to isolate themselves out of fear of any form of rejection.

How Can Teen Depression Be Treated?

Knowing that your teen is experiencing a mental health problem can be challenging, but this doesn’t mean it can’t be tackled. If openly discussed, teen depression is a very treatable health issue covered via a mental health professional. With a treatment plan and support, teens with depression can reengage with their lives and go on to lead productive and fulfilling lives. What’s important is to begin the conversation and open up a healthy dialogue.

But how is this mental health issue usually treated for most? In most cases, three treatments can be utilized: medication, talk therapy, or a residential teen treatment center. Some treatments may requite a combination of these.

For example, combining talk therapy and medication is a common way to find an effective response. What’s most important is that your family will work closely with a trained medical professional who is then able to diagnose your teen and then develop a treatment plan that works for them. Residential treatment centers can be effective as they offer 24/7 care and support in addition to access to many of the top mental health professionals.

Conclusion – What Does Teen Depression Feel Like?

As every parent knows, it can be a challenging moment when you think your teen is suffering from a mental health issue like depression. You only want to do everything to protect both their physical and mental health. But without medical training, it can be hard identify teen depression in the first place. But in the fight against depression and other mental health issues, just remember that you are not alone.

Depression is identified as one of the most common mental health disorders experienced by teens of all ages. Some research estimates that roughly 10 to 15 percent of all teenagers experience some form of depression. While it can be temporary, it often last longer if left untreated. Teen depression is a common mental health issue that can lead to additional health problems, but luckily, it’s also very treatable.

Doctors and mental health professionals have developed several evidence-based treatment methods for teens (and people of all ages) with depression. These common treatments include: talk therapy, family therapy, and certain medications. For some teenagers, entering into a residential teen treatment center can be a very helpful and effective way to understand their condition. In these centers, they have the resources to develop healthy coping mechanism and habits so that they can live happy, healthy lives. Just because your teen is experiencing depression, it does not mean there’s anything wrong with them. Begin the conversation, utilize compassion, and do what it takes to help them overcome the issue so that they can lead a healthy and productive life.