What Are The Signs of Teenage Depression?

depressed teenager

The signs of teenage depression come in four main areas:

emotional,
cognitive,
motivation, and
physical.

The emotional signs are a blue mood, negative self-attitude, self-conscious about their body, crying and a poor sense of humour.

The cognitive signs of teenage depression are low self-esteem, negative outlook on the future, inability to make decisions, poor body image, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

The motivational signs are low motivation to get things done, withdrawing from social groups, suicidal thoughts, trouble talking to people and an increased dependency on others around them.

The physical signs of teenage depression are a loss of appetite, inability to sleep, increased fatigue and exhaustion. Most teens suffering with signs of teenage depression are exhausted because so much is going on and they are preoccupied with their problems. Suffering teens will sleep a lot as this allows them to withdraw from life and escape its problems.

Not all of depressed teens have these symptoms but usually have one or more from each area. Sometimes you cannot tell if a teenager is depressed by how they relate to the world, because things are not always what they seem.

"What do you do when you first notice the signs?"

If you are the teenager who is suffering, the first step is to get out your pen and paper and start writing. Write down what you are feeling. Just write! Don’t try to be a best seller author, just write like you’re talking to a friend. Then, step back and look at what you’ve written. If it’s absolutely dark and negative, then find someone to confide in. Find a trusted, mature friend, a counselor or therapist. Find someone who can help you figure out what is causing you to be depressed.

See your doctor and ask them if they can determine if your physical lifestyle is causing it, such as your diet and exercise habits. Those two elements are a good start.

Could you be lacking these 6 ingredients too? (Request our free e-course.)

The most important thing is to move towards answers instead of moving towards substance abuse, suicidal thinking, continued negative thinking, etc.

There is hope and you are worth it!

The first sign of depression can be a red flag in your life letting you know that something is wrong. Find out what you are missing. Click here to find where there is hope.

If someone you love is suffering with signs of teenage depression, read: When Depression Hurts Those Around You


Related Articles:

Causes of Teen Depression

When Depression Hurts Those Around You

Why Recognizing The First Sign of Depression is Crucial

Adolescent Identity and Depression: Why and What To Do...?

My Teenage Depression Story

Read more of our articles here...

Back to Home from The Signs of Teenage Depression

(Source: Dacey, John and Maureen Kenny. Adolescent Development. Madison: Brown and Benchmark Publishers, 1994.)

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Getting Help 
This is from To Save a life. Its pretty much Rogers suicide note. If anyone feels like this you need professional help. Reach out, that might be the hardest …

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im under so much strain 
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people dont understand.... Not rated yet
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thanks Not rated yet
hey first... wow all it took was 20 minutes of research to discover that it is not a bad thing to have depression and you don't have to be scared this …

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One Woman's Cure Depression Story and Research Findings That Is Changing Lives in Over 120 Countries To Date.

What people are saying about the cure your depression research... 

“Your web site is absolutely fantastic! We will refer all of our clients to your web site.” –Anthony, Director of Mental Imaging Clinic, Las Vegas

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"I have been depressed for most of my life, have read many books and articles have taught others about depression, have taken various antidepressant medications. I have begun taking your advice on how to overcome depression for just over a week now.

I am encouraged at what i have read and i have put into practice what has been suggested. I have found that the research of Merri Ellen is very good, it is practical and makes common and medical sense. I fully agree that the medication is only part of the cure for depression, in that it takes away some of the worst symptoms of one's depression. The time to do something about one's depression is when the bad edge has been taken off. I have started the process you recommend and i am encouraged at my progress so far.

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