Recognizing and Treating Teen Depression

Teen depression doesn’t always look like how you imagine depression. Depressed teens may be overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, exhaustion, and desperation. But depression in teens may also present as rage, anger, or irritability. The first step in determining whether your teen is experiencing depression is to listen. Be on the lookout for times when your teen is open to talking and give them your full attention. Let them know how much you value being their sounding board and try very hard not to visibly react. Let them know the lines of communication are open 24/7.