Say you've noticed you've had some difficulty sleeping over the past couple of months.  In fact, you can safely say you're not getting more than 3-4 hours a night. Your energy level and appetite have also decreased. But when people ask you if you're doing okay, you say you're fine, and you don't feel like you're living your days under a dark cloud.

So my question to you all is might this be an example of teenage depression?  

Absolutely.  You see, teenage depression doesn’t always present with sadness and labile moods (AKA mood swings).  In fact, some of the more common signs of teenage depression may go unnoticed if you or your parents (and other caregivers) are only looking for the more obvious characteristics.  

Therefore, I feel it worthwhile to share with you all a rather comprehensive list of some obvious and not so obvious signs and symptoms of teen depression:

• Sadness, hopelessness and tearfulness

• Decrease in overall energy, follows along lack of motivation

• Changes in eating and sleeping habits

• Increase in overall irritability and/or hostility to others

• Unexplained aches

• Concentrating issues 

• Withdrawal from friends and family

• Poor self-esteem

• Thoughts of death or suicide (which obviously requires immediate attention)

Of course, with some of these signs/symptoms, it is important to get a sense of whether these are just some brief moments in your life or something that has been going on for an extended period of time.  Basically, are you acting different than your usual self?  And if so, further evaluation and care is needed with your physician as well as a mental health care specialist because if left untreated, teen depression can lead to so many other problems including drug abuse, eating disorders, school problems, self-injury and even suicide.  

And if you ever feel seriously suicidal, immediate care is needed.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is one such organization that provides 24-hour suicide prevention and support at 1-800-273-TALK.

There are others going through the same things you're going through, and your feelings are absolutely valid. With just a little help from someone who cares, whether it be a parent, a doctor, a teacher, or a friend, you can get through this.

Dr. Jeremy