Your teen used to be a happy kid, used to spend a lot of time with you and their friends, and used to play sports. Lately, however, they have been irritable, kind of withdrawn and have not been to basketball practice in over a month. You wonder, what happened to my happy child? You wonder, is my child depressed or are they just going through a rough time? – but how do you know? And what can you do as a parent?
Feeling sad or down are natural emotions and they can be reactions to daily stressors. Most people deal and get past these feelings within a few days.
Depression, however, is more than occasional sadness or feeling down. One in five teenagers has experienced depression at some point. It is a strong mood that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. Depression also affects one’s energy level, motivation, and concentration, and subsequently interferes with their ability to function on a daily basis.
Teens don’t always show typical symptoms of depression such as sadness or withdrawal. For some, irritability, aggression, and rage are the main symptoms. Unexplained aches and pains, physical ailments such as headaches and stomachaches are also common as is extreme sensitivity to criticism, and changes in socialization.
Some things to consider: how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different your child is acting compared to their typical self. Typically when teenagers withdraw or stop doing things they used to enjoy can be a sign that something is wrong. Dramatic changes in personality, mood, or behavior and/or changes in academic performance are all red flags for a more severe problem that requires immediate attention.
If you are concerned your adolescent may be suffering from depression, talk to your health care provider and make an appointment to see a mental health professional. Speak to your provider or call a suicide hotline if you are worried that your child is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Call 911 immediately if you feel that your child is in imminent danger.