Symptoms
Symptoms of teen depression include some emotional changes and behavioral changes, such as:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
- Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason
- Feeling hopeless or empty
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak
- Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Agitation or restlessness
- Social isolation
- Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
- Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing
- Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt
Risk factors
Factors increasing the risk of developing or triggering teen depression include:
- being the victim or witness of violence, such as physical or sexual abuse
- Ongoing pain or a chronic physical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
- A physical disability
- Low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Recent stressful life events, such as parental divorce, parental military service or the death of a loved one
