Adolescents and depression have always been associated. As we leave childhood and those (supposedly)carefree days behind and begin to worry about how we look, what we wear, who likes us and who we like...along with the obligatory period of feeling like we are the only one who has ever 'suffered' in this way, and noone understands us. We may be lucky and get through en years relatively unscathed. But during this time of rampant hormones and raging emotions, many young people begin to experience their first bout of depressive illness.

As a parent you will 'diplomatically' want to monitor your teens behaviour in case they are beginning to exhibit signs of adolescent depression. Here are some tell tale symptoms of depression that you might keep an eye out for:

Appearing to be sad much of the time, and maybe tearful
Their dress code may give away their general air of sadness. Wearing funereal blacks. Keeping their own countenance. Playing sad music. Writing sad and morose poems and prose.

Lolling about, little energy, generally bored
Teenage depression can lead to reduced motivation, no desire to do anything, preoccupation. Interrupted or poor sleep, leading reduced concentration levels and constant tiredness. This 'knock on' to possibly missing some school and a reduced grade average in their studies. This all feeds the depressive phase.

Increased frequency of minor ailments - headache/stomach ache
During this difficult period of changes in hormone levels, and the onset off menstruation in girls there can naturally be a lot of niggling little health complaints. Depressed teens seem to have increasing numbers of head and stomach-aches, or may suffer from nausea or other aches and pains.

Talking about feeling hopeless/ Acting as if they have no 'hope'
If they are uncommunicative, which is common of course, they may stop 'caring about their appearance and their personal hygiene. You should try to be aware of what is happening in their social/personal/study life (difficult I know). If they feel particularly that a negative situation 'will never get better' it an trigger this sense of 'hopelessness' and 'why bother' attitude.

Reduced ability to concentrate
Drifting off into their own world becomes a regular thing and leads to them failing to listen to you, to teachers, etc. Teenagers who are becoming depressed just seem to lose touch with reality and this feeds the depression.

Withdrawal from previously popular activities and social interaction
When apathy sets-in, or they seem never to be enjoying anything any more. When teens stay in bed much of the time and stop taking part in team games, sports of activities they formerly were keen on. Teen depression is often signalled by the inability to have fun.

Becoming socially isolated, reduced communication!
Many teens seem to go through a period where heir vocabulary consists of a few grunts and groans. but when you notice that social interaction has declined, they don't see previously regular friends any more, and they are even less inclined to talk - these could all be signs of teenage depression. Even if they are wrong - they may come to believe that noone pays regards to what they say, or takes them seriously, or listens. This can lead to further withdrawal.


Teenage depression - article continues HERE