What Does Teen Depression Look Like? And How Is It Different from Adult Depression?

Everyone knows that depressed people often present as being sad or having a negative outlook on life.

Yet, depression is a very nuanced mental health problem that affects millions of Americans each year. And it doesn’t discriminate between wealthy and poor, male and female, or even young and old.

In fact, how it appears in adults versus adolescence can differ significantly. And that’s really important to know.

If you are concerned that your teen is depressed, then you need to be aware of those differences. Otherwise, you might misinterpret possible symptoms, and your child may miss out on the help that they really need.

Here’s what depression looks like in teens and how it differs from adult depression.

Anger and Irritability

Oftentimes teen depression looks like anger and irritability. Granted, it can be easy to say that many—if not all teens—experience a point in their lives when they are irritable and grumpy.

However, this volatility is different from typical teenage mood swings. In fact, you might have already experienced the “wrath” of anger from your teen. Maybe they’ve blown up at you, got in your face, or did something physical such as punch a hole in the wall. These episodes are difficult to experience.

Social Isolation

Another symptom of teen depression is social isolation. Again, it’s common for people who are depressed, no matter their age, to isolate themselves. However, teens might seek out isolation differently. For instance, they might avoid interactions in the real world and retreat into technology, such as the Internet or video games.

Why? Gaming can provide a particular allure to depressed teens. In games, they can create characters and personas that differ greatly from their own. In essence, they have the ability to be a completely different person than who they are in real life. Plus, they can go on adventures or master skills that they could never do in the real world.

Practicing Avoidance

Both depressed adults and teens will likely avoid putting themselves in certain situations where they feel they are emotionally vulnerable. For instance, an adult might avoid interacting with a person whom they find triggering. An intolerable boss or a relative comes to mind.

Teens also practice avoidance but in different ways. With teens, though, they often avoid putting themselves into a scenario where they will be “put on the spot,” so-to-speak. This means that they don’t want to take risks. Rather, they would prefer to fly under the radar and not be noticed.

The reason is simple. If they try out for a sports team or even speak up in class, and then fail, the result is rejection. So, why even bother in the first place?

Changes in Appetite and Weight

Depressed adults and teens might both experience changes in appetite and weight. Adults might not want to eat at all, and thus, lose weight. Or they may overindulge and experience weight gain.

With teens, it might be more difficult to detect these changes at first. After all, food preferences, appetite, and weight fluctuations are common for adolescence. However, if they seem to have gained or lost a lot of weight quickly, that could be a warning sign. Also, not wanting to eat foods that they usually love to consume but now can no longer tolerate.

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In the end, the key to discerning if anyone has depression or not—whether it’s a teen or an adult—is taking note of symptoms. One change in behavior in your teen might not be significant. But several changes that are out of the norm of typical behavior might be. It’s important then that you understand what depression looks like in teens.

If you’re still unsure, ask for guidance from a teen therapist who understands both depression and teens. I’d be happy to be your guide. Please, feel free to contact me.

Teen Counseling in Cincinnati, OH 45040

If you are a teen or a family member of a teen who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, ADHD, academic concerns or getting along and connecting with peers, you may benefit from teen counseling at Launch Point Counseling in Mason, OH, north of Cincinnati, OH. To learn more or schedule an intake appointment, please contact Launch Point Counseling.