We all worry about our children's health from the moment they are born, but something that is often overlooked could turn out to be one of the most important things. The mental health of a child and, later in life, an adolescent has a big impact on how that child or teen lives. Depression and other problems can make your teen's life less enjoyable and can even hurt their health.
If you think your teen might be depressed, look for the signs that are mentioned in this article. Talk to your child's paediatrician if they show several of these signs to find out if they think your teen might be depressed. Depression in teens can cause things like:
Irregular sleep - Teenagers sometimes just sleep at different times than their parents. Teens usually stay up late at night and want to sleep in late the next day. This is not a problem with their attitude, but a change in how their brains are wired. As time goes on, they will get back to "normal." A teen who sleeps all the time, goes to bed early, sleeps late, and wakes up for naps is not normal. It's also not normal for a teen to have trouble sleeping. Even though these could be signs of something else, they can also be signs of depression.
Not enough energy - Even though your teen is getting more sleep, does he or she still seem tired or worn out most of the time? Low energy and sleeping a lot could be signs of a problem with the thyroid, could be a sign of something else, or could be signs of depression.
"Loss of interest" - If your child isn't honest with you, it might be hard to tell if they are no longer interested in things that used to interest them. However, it pays to pay close attention. If your teen isn't interested in the things he or she used to like, like staying in touch with friends or playing the newest video games, this could be a sign that something is wrong.
Change in hunger -/b> Is your teen, who was always hungry, no longer interested in food? Is your teenager eating all the time, especially "comfort foods" or sweets, which isn't like them? Both of these could be signs of depression, so pay close attention to them. They could also mean something is wrong, like an eating disorder, so they should always be taken seriously.
Irritability - Even though it can be hard to tell if your teen is irritable all the time or just when you are in charge, it is important to know that too much anger could be a sign of depression.
A bleak outlook - If your child all of a sudden starts talking badly or about suicide, blaming it on "mood swings" could be a mistake that could kill them. This may be one of the signs of depression in teens that parents miss the most, because they think it is normal for teens to be pessimistic. This is often paired with self-loathing, which can come out in many ways, like saying things like "I'm such a loser" or "No one likes me anyway," or doing things like cutting yourself or talking about killing yourself.
You should never think that these signs are your teen trying to get your attention. Some of the signs could be caused by other problems or just by being a teenager, but they could also be signs of depression. If your teen has any of these signs, you should call their paediatrician right away.
You might be able to talk to your teen about their depression, but it really depends on how close you are to them and how you think they will react to your questions. If you see signs of depression in your teen, you shouldn't blame them. Instead, you should talk to them gently to find out if they are willing to talk about their problems.
Depression in teens is a big problem, but if you pay close attention and a paediatrician helps with the right therapy or medicine, you can get rid of the immediate dangers of this terrible illness. Diagnosis and treatment can help you save your teen from the dangers and pitfalls of this illness, but they will only get there if you are aware of them.
