Being a teenager in today’s world isn’t easy. There is so much to keep up with when it comes to school, working a part-time job, dealing with your family, making friends, and maintaining other relationships. It’s important that teens have the right support at home in order to prevent things like depression. However, some teens are just more prone to developing depression during their younger years. There are some ways that you can identify depression in either yourself of your friends.
Lack of Appetite
Your average teen will eat a lot over the course of a day. After all, their bodies are growing and they’re developing more physically. Most teens are very active in sports and other activities, which will keep their appetite going strong. If you notice that your teen is eating less or has less interest in food, this could be a sign that they are feeling depressed. It’s important to keep an eye on eating habits. Losing weight or showing a lack of interest in food can also be signs of an eating disorder.
Change in Attitude
A lot of teenagers will have an attitude with their parents. This is just part of dealing with youth in the household. However, there are certain issues with attitude that can indicate there is a bigger problem going on. Teens often deal with depression, substance abuse, aggression, and suicidal behaviors. This can show in attitude by expressing a lot of angry outbursts, becoming violent against others or themselves, threatening abuse, crying with no known cause or other serious issues. According to TMS Clinics of Canada, these symptoms are indications that things are serious enough to need professional help.
Social Withdrawal
If a teen is normally very active with school, sports and friends, you can spot depression if they start to withdraw from these things. If a child no longer wants to get up and do anything, they could be dealing with some scary emotions. You should also watch out for a change in interests, not caring about the effects of their actions, and reduced emotional expression or interaction.
If you notice that a teen may be dealing with depression, it’s a good idea to contact a mental health professional for assistance. You can touch base with a counselor or doctor to find out some of the best resources in your area. Let the teen know that you’re there for them. They may not feel like talking right now, but it’s important that they know they can come find you at any time for help.
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