James Donaldson on Mental Health - What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers?

Why early intervention is critical When a teenager is depressed, their suffering isn’t the only reason it’s important to get help.

In addition to the disorder itself, there are add-on effects that may cause lifelong issues.

With depression symptoms comes low energy and poor concentration, two factors that are likely to have a significant impact on social and academic functioning.

It’s easy to see the effects of poor academic functioning: falling behind in school undermines a child’s confidence and self-image and can impact their future if it’s prolonged.

But social learning is just as critical as academic learning in adolescence.

Deficits in social skills not only put depressed teens behind their peers but in themselves can compound their depression.

Depression plus anxiety It’s important to understand that a teenager who is depressed may also develop anxiety and may need to be treated for two separate disorders.

It may be that depression leads to anxiety — the negative state of mind of a depressed teenager lends itself to uncertainty.

If you’re not feeling good about yourself, confident, secure, or safe, anxiety may find fertile ground.

It may also be because the regions of the brain affected by anxiety and depression are close together and mutually affected.