Could your child or teenager be depressed?

Has the teenager in your life been acting a bit grouchy lately? Are they having trouble concentrating at school? Are they staying up at odd hours in the night?

Mood slumps can arise from any number of external factors, of course. But think about this: Your loved one might very well be dealing with depression.

Depression is defined as “a sad or low mood and a lack of interest in usual activities most of the time over the course of two weeks or a month,” says Dennis M. Popeo, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

And it’s a lot more common than you might think, says clinical psychologist Laura Bonomo, PhD, founder, and clinical director of Abridged Psychology in New York. In fact, depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide.

While the exact causes of depression are still being studied, a combination of factors are likely at play. These include genetic vulnerability, thinking patterns, life stressors, and individual brain chemistry. In other words, certain teenagers may be predisposed to depression, but it’s their thinking patterns and the way they process stressors that can be an issue. What depression looks like in one person might appear totally different in another — and that’s especially true for adolescents.

Here are some expert answers to common questions about depression in teenagers, and practical advice about how to handle it.

How common is depression in young people?

An estimated 3.2 million kids (13.3%) between the ages of 12 and 17 have had at least one yearly episode of major depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

What causes it?

As with other age groups, the exact causes are uncertain, but it’s probably a combination of factors: genetics, thinking patterns, and life stressors.

Time spent on digital devices might also contribute. “Social media plays a big role,” says Bonomo. “It makes it appear like everyone in the world has tons of friends and is having the time of their life.”

For a high schooler, the pressure to get good grades and earn a ticket to that good college can also lead to feelings of depression, she adds.

How can I tell if my teenager is depressed?

One important reason for adolescents to see a doctor regularly is that they’ll be screened for depression. Well-child visits starting at age 12 will include crucial screening questions to help identify any mood issues, including depression, to ensure appropriate behavioral health care is provided.

Depressed teenagers often show many of the classic symptoms of depression. Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy and sadness that lasts longer than two weeks are two red flags. Parents can also look for the following warning signs:

• A change in their friend group, or withdrawing from friends
• Crying for no obvious reason
• Difficulty making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide, and even attempts at suicide (this can go hand in hand with an obsession with morbid-themed music and literature)
• Self-hatred
• Anger that is out of proportion to the situation
• Less attention to their personal hygiene and appearance
• Increased isolation from family
• Alcohol or drug use

Remember, though, that while teenagers may withdraw from parents, teachers, and other adults, they often will still talk to their close friends.

Why is it important to get treated?

Teenagers might try to cope with their depression by engaging in harmful behaviors, Bonomo warns. Drug or alcohol use and unprotected sex are just some of the possible pitfalls. Plus, children who are stuck in a depressed mindset will search for others who can confirm what they’re feeling. “They tend to gravitate toward other kids who have those same tendencies,” Bonomo says. They feed off one another’s negativity and depressed moods.

There is hope: Depression in all age groups is treatable. On To Better Health is a confidential online program available for Keystone HMO CHIP members. Log in to the member portal at ibx.com to see assessments, articles, videos, and other tools and resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.