Teenage years can be tough so it is not surprising that your teen may be miserable every now and then, especially if they are going through an upsetting event like a break up or stress at school.
It’s pretty normal to feel down in response to difficult situations, and usually the feelings fade over time and you get on with life. But when the feelings of unhappiness are intense and persistent – and they don’t go away even when things improve – this could be a sign of depression.
According to depression.org.nz, two key signs of depression include:
- constantly feeling down or hopeless
- having little interest or pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy.
Possible signs include:
- irritability or restlessness, feeling tired all the time, or general loss of energy
- feelings of emptiness or loneliness
- no longer interested in favourite activities
- sleep problems – too much, or too little
- weight loss or gain
- low self-esteem
- problems with concentration
- thinking about death a lot.
If you recognise any or all of these signs – particularly the key signs – you should take action sooner rather than later. For further information on possible signs and what to do if you notice them, visit depression.org.nz.