Adolescent Depression

Adolescent Depression: A Growing Problem

Adolescent depression is a growing problem. Research indicates that adolescent depression is occurring at increasingly younger ages than ever before, and if left untreated, adolescent depression may become even more severe during adult life.

Recognizing Adolescent Depression

Early diagnosis can keep adolescent depression from becoming too severe. Unfortunately, adolescent depression is often mistaken and mislabeled as normal "kid" behavior. Boys and girls with adolescent depression often have difficulty communicating their emotional feelings or needs, which makes adolescent depression difficult to diagnose.

Adolescent depression does not always manifest in the same way as adult depression. A depressed adolescent may show signs of agitation and irritability, may have headaches and stomachaches, and trouble sleeping. Other signs of adolescent depression include difficulty concentrating, a change in appetite, and general malaise.

Causes of Adolescent Depression

Adolescent depression is often connected to anxiety and disruptive behavior. Issues of physical and/or sexual abuse, abuse of drugs or alcohol in teenage years, are common factors in adolescent depression.

Adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to develop adolescent depression. Recent studies have linked adolescent depression to genetics. Having a parent, grandparent, or other relative with depression raises the possibility of an adolescent developing depression.

Learn More About Adolescent Depression Issues

You will find additional information about adolescent depression on our web site http://www.kidsterrain.com. Visit our FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars or more information on childhood depression.