Teenage Depression

Teenage Depression: A Growing Problem

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

Recognizing Teenage Depression

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

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

Causes of Teenage Depression

Childhood 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 teenage depression.

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

Learn More About Teenage Depression Issues

You will find additional information about teenage depression on our web site. Visit these FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars on teenage depression on this web site, http://www.kidsterrain.com.