Depression - teenagers | Better Health Channel

Summary

Around one in five teenagers experience depressive mood changes. Not all have clinical depression, but among those who do it is often not recognised. Stresses that sound minor to adults may be very important to teenagers and should be taken seriously.

Young people can feel depressed for all sorts of reasons and their moods can vary, from feeling a bit blue to feeling overwhelming sadness and hopelessness. Some may even feel suicidal.

Around one in five teenagers experience depressive moods, but clinically significant depression in young people is often not recognised. Research shows that three per cent of Australians aged between three and 16 years have a depressive disorder each year.

Although it is often difficult to communicate with someone who is feeling low, it is important not to ignore a young person’s feelings. Knowing that family and friends care and are willing to give support can be the first vital step to getting better.

Different types of depressive disorders
The three main types of depressive disorders are:

  • Depressed mood – feeling sad or blue is an emotion common to people of all ages. The feeling generally results from problems or loss. People usually feel better after talking about the problem or doing something they enjoy. A depressed mood doesn’t usually interfere with daily activities. This is part of human experience and not an illness.
  • Dysthymia – this is a mild type of depression that can last for over a year in young people. They may lose interest in things they have enjoyed doing and appear ‘down’ most of the time. They have less energy, find it difficult to concentrate and have trouble eating and sleeping. The most common factor is feeling bad about themselves and having less confidence and enjoyment in their lives. Dysthymia is much more serious than a depressed mood.
  • Major depressive episode – this illness is a change in the person from their usual self, which continues for at least two weeks. It may be triggered by a major stressful event, such as a death or broken relationship. Sometimes, however, it may have no obvious cause. Some of the symptoms and signs of major depression include severe sleeping problems, loss of enjoyment in usual activities, feeling hopeless or worthless, increasing drug and alcohol use, neglect of personal appearance, excessive worry about health, complaints about constant physical pains like headaches, carelessness about physical safety, behaviour problems and preoccupation with death and suicide.
Young people at risk
Depression can affect anyone, but some teenagers are more likely to become depressed if:
  • They have a close relative who has suffered from depression
  • They have had a major life stress or several stresses.
Examples of major life stresses include family break-up, school failure, bullying, experience of prejudice and social isolation because of sexual preferences, child abuse, loss of a parent, accident, broken relationship or moving to another area.

Suicide risk factors
Stresses that sound minor to adults may be very important to teenagers and should be taken seriously. Telling a teenager who is upset that their worry is ‘about nothing’ only makes things worse. They feel no one understands and this increases their sense of being alone in the world.

Things that may mean a teenager is seriously thinking about taking their life include:
  • Talk or threats of suicide
  • Hints such as ‘I won’t be a problem for you much longer’
  • Previous attempts, especially if the person was alone at the time
  • Careless risk-taking behaviour
  • Sad or angry mood that doesn’t go away
  • Giving away personal possessions
  • Suddenly clearing out belongings and getting them in order
  • Becoming suddenly cheerful without reason after being depressed.
How to help a depressed teenager
When teenagers are suffering with depression, they aren’t always able to ask for help and may even refuse your help at times. It is important that you:
  • Take their depression seriously.
  • Offer unconditional love and concern.
  • Take time to listen when they want to talk about their feelings.
  • Show them you are available without being ‘pushy’.
  • Encourage them to do things you know they enjoy.
  • Notice the little things they are doing that you approve of.
  • Support and encourage your child to get help without nagging.
  • If your child won’t go for help and you are worried, go by yourself first and get some advice on how to best handle the situation.
  • Take seriously any talk about suicide and actions such as giving away special things – do whatever is needed to ensure their safety, even if it is against their wishes.
  • Make sure you don’t keep a gun in your home.
Taking care of yourself
Parenting a teenager who is suffering depression can be very stressful. When you find yourself getting angry or frustrated:
  • Take a step back and think about what is happening before reacting.
  • Remember that your relationship with your child is important and they need it to continue.
  • Think about your own views. Are you wondering why you should have to put up with the terrible behaviour (which will only make the situation worse) or are you thinking, ‘Something must be wrong for my child to be behaving like this’ (which will lead to a search for the cause)?
  • Ask people close to you for support.
  • Ask someone the young person is close to (such as another relative) to help provide support, but make sure your child knows that you’re not rejecting them.
  • Make sure you do things for yourself – you need to take care of your own needs if you are to help your child.
  • Get professional help if you need to.
Professional help
There is a range of different treatments available for depression, including counselling and therapies. Antidepressant medications should be given with caution to young teenagers because of possible side effects. The right treatment depends on the individual needs and the situation of the teenager. It is important to persist until the right treatment is found, as young people are often particular about whom they will talk to.

Where to get help
  • Your doctor
  • Psychiatrist
  • Counsellor
  • Your local community health centre
  • Find a GP near you who specialises in young people and mental health issues through the beyondblue website
  • beyondblue Info Line Tel. 1300 22 4636
  • Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 551 80
  • Lifeline Tel. 131 114
  • Mental Health Foundation Tel. (03) 9427 0407
  • Alfred Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Tel. (03) 9526 4400
  • SANE Mental Health Information Line Tel. 1800 187 263, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
  • Mental Health Advice Line Tel. 1300 280 737
  • ReachOut!
Things to remember
  • Depression in young people is often not recognised.
  • Stresses that sound small to adults may be very important to teenagers and should be taken seriously.
  • When teenagers are suffering with depression, they aren’t always able to ask for help and may even refuse your help at times.
  • If your child won’t go for help and you are worried, go by yourself first to get advice on how to best handle the situation.
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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: January 2009

The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.


Q&As on Depression

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