After a very long school year, we’re now in the throes of summer. Many teens (and parents!) anxiously await the end of the school year. They have visions of weekends at the beach, swimming in pools, spending time with friends, and a welcome break from the day-t0-day grind of the school year.

Unfortunately, for many teens summer is not that happy vacation time they had imagined. Instead of living it up, they find themselves feeling bored and miserable as the reality of summer does not live up to their expectations.

There’s no doubt that teenagers have a lot on their plates. They’re dealing with hormonal and physical changes, navigating identity development and figuring out where they fit in the world. They are establishing relationships outside of the home, balancing school and part-time jobs, while also contemplating their post-high school college or career plans.

It’s safe to say that teenage angst is something parents come to expect. We all recognize that feeling overwhelmed, stressed and scared about the future is normal. The question becomes when is this struggle more than “normal” teenage stuff and a sign of depression that requires a different level of support and attention.

Here are 5 key indicators that your teen may be experiencing symptoms of clinical depression and signs your teen may need professional support.

A new pattern of social isolation. When teens are depressed, they often spend an increased amount of time away from family and friends. You may notice them spending lots of time on their phone, refusing to engage in social activities outside of the home. Perhaps they are turning down requests to go places or to try new things and they are no longer engaging in activities they previously enjoyed, such as going shopping, playing sports, or going out. You may start wondering why you haven’t seen or heard about your teen’s friends recently.
Changes in sleep. You may notice that your teen is having a harder time falling asleep or, conversely, is sleeping too much. This is different from the very common presentation of a teen in summer or weekend mode when they stay up a little later at night and sleep a few hours later in the morning. Many teens who are struggling with depression sleep excessively, often sleeping through the night and several hours during the day, having little motivation to do much else.
Increase in physical symptoms and/or illness. Signs of depression often include reports of headaches, stomach aches, changes in appetite, significant weight gain or weight loss, and/or feelings of lethargy. Your teen may state they feel sick a lot of the time, perhaps calling out of work or declining invitations to go out with family and friends due to illnes.. If this is the case, make an appointment with a medical provider in order to rule out physical illnesses. Medical providers will often screen for depression as a part of their exam, which can shed light on the possible interplay between physical and emotional symptoms. It is often challenging for teens, parents, and providers to tease apart symptoms of physical ailments and psychological ailments, as they frequently have similar presentations.
Changes in mood and concentration, including increased irritability. Sure, teens are known to be “moody” and you have to allow for that. The concern arises when you see a persistent, high level of irritability that is uncharacteristic of your child. You may note a pattern of distractibility and difficulty focusing, along with a pervasive sense of unhappiness. It’s important to recognize that your teen clearly doesn’t like feeling this way (no one does), but they may not be able to “snap out of it” and get themselves in a better emotional place without outside support.
Talking about feeling sad, hopeless, and possibly even making mention of suicide. Teens who are experiencing depression may be quite open and expressive about how they are feeling. It can be extraordinarily difficult to hear your child speak like this, but it is critically important for parents to maintain an open, honest dialogue and to encourage their teen to express their feelings. There is clearly a difference between feeling sad at times and experiencing an overwhelming sense of hopelessness characteristic of depression. (*It’s important to note that speaking with your child openly and asking them if they have contemplated suicide does not “plant a seed” or encourage them to have these thoughts.)

When to seek help.

So, what do you do if you are noticing one or more of these signs of depression in your teen? First, and most importantly, acknowledge that your teen is having a hard time and offer a non-judgemental ear and parental support. Take notice of any significant shifts in behavior or usual habits - tracking these changes and noting them can provide helpful information for medical providers. If you believe your child is struggling with depression or other mental health issues, seek the support of a licensed therapist who can assist, especially if your child is voicing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If you have immediate safety concerns, the following resources are available to you and your teen 24/7:

Dial “988” for the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Text “Hello” to “741741” to the National Crisis Text Line
Dial “911” for immediate assistance
Proceed to your nearest emergency room for a psychiatric and medical evaluation (provided it is safe to travel with your child in your car, otherwise call 911)

The good news is there are very effective treatments for depression. With the right counseling approach and strong family support, your teen can begin to feel better relatively quickly. Though length of treatment and the type of treatment varies, it is not uncommon for a teen to begin to feel some sense of relief and a more hopeful outlook in just a few sessions with a skilled therapist.

Farmington Valley Counseling Center has a team of therapists who help individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma-related stressors, ADHD, life transitions, and everyday stressors. We provided individual and group counseling services at our Avon, CT office and telehealth counseling services to clients in CT and MA. To learn more about counseling services at Farmington Valley Counseling Center, please call (860) 255-4017 or visit fvcounseling.com.

We’re here to help!