Signs of Depression in Teens: What Parents Should Know

Most teens struggle with sadness or mood swings at times, but when this lasts for weeks or longer, or impacts their daily functioning, academics, and relationships, it could be a sign of depression. According to the CDC, in 2025, between 13% and 17% of teens in the US struggle with depression, with rates higher among teenage girls and LGBTQ+ youth [1]. 

As a parent, knowing your teen struggles with depression can be distressing. Untreated depression can lead to more severe mental health conditions, drug and alcohol abuse, and increase the risk of suicide. It’s not always easy to spot either. Depression can manifest as physical health conditions, “bad behavior”, and changes that look like typical teen moodiness. 

The good news is that depression is highly treatable with the right therapeutic approaches, social support, and medication if needed. Understanding the warning signs of depression in teens makes it easier to identify when you should reach out for professional treatment. 

Why Do Teens Struggle With Depression? 

It’s common for parents to quickly blame themselves if they realize their teen is struggling with depression. However, it’s important to remember that teens become depressed for different reasons; there’s no one single cause. Genes, hormones, academic stress, peer relationships, and life transitions or events can all play a role. 

It’s also important to remember that if your teen struggles with depression, it doesn’t make you a failure as a parent. Depression is a widespread public health problem affecting over 5 million youth a year [1]. Some of the most common causes of depression in teens include [2][3]: 

• Genetic Vulnerabilities influence regions of the brain that affect mood and energy. Teens with a family history of depression are more likely to develop it themselves. 

• Hormonal Changes that come with puberty can increase feelings of irritability, aggression, and mood swings. Some teens are sensitive to hormonal shifts that happen with seasonal changes in sunlight, increasing depression around the fall or winter when daylight hours are shorter [4]. 

• Trauma, such as neglect, abuse, or witnessing violence, such as in a school shooting, can greatly increase the risk of depression.  

• Transitions, loss of a loved one, academic stress, bullying, discrimination, and other life events can lead to depression in teens who lack proper coping skills to overcome challenges.   

Signs of Depression in Teens: Emotional, Behavioral, Physical 

Although most parents think of sadness and mood swings as depression, sometimes the signs can be sneaky. Some teens struggle more with odd or unexplainable physical health symptoms, while others struggle with behavioral difficulties or aggression. 

Emotional Signs of Depression

The emotional signs of depression can be a bit easier to spot and are often some of the most classic or visible “symptoms of depression”. These include: 

• Negative Outlook: Teens who are depressed may be extra hard on themselves, focusing on failures and setbacks rather than their wins or positive traits. 

• Low Energy: They may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed or no longer seem to care about anything. They put less effort into school work, self-care, and relationships. 

• Irritability/Aggression: Teen boys who struggle with depression often show signs of irritability, aggression, and even physical violence in some cases. They may get in trouble in class for interrupting the teacher or fighting with peers. They often lack the skills to identify and process their emotions, leading to feelings of anger and frustration [5]. 

• Drastic Mood Swings: Teens are known to struggle with emotional regulation and their mood as their brain develops; however, if these are so intense or persistent that they interfere with daily life, it's likely a sign that something deeper is going on. Look for triggers or indicators when your teen experiences mood swings to determine if something in the environment is contributing to it.  

Behavioral Signs of Depression

Teens with depression often exhibit outward behaviors influenced by their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. In some cases, these can resemble classic traits of adolescents or signs of other mental health problems. 

You can’t solely diagnose depression in a teen based on their behavior, but it can help you understand when it’s time to get them connected with a mental health professional who can accurately diagnose them. Some of the behavioral signs of depression include: 

• Changes in sleep: Teens with depression often struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or may sleep more and have trouble waking up or feeling refreshed

• Changes in appetite: Quick spikes or drops in weight. Some teens may show less interest in food, while others binge eat to cope with negative emotions  

• Academic decline: Depression can make it hard to focus or find motivation to do tasks. Teens who suddenly have a slip in grades or are showing less effort in school may be struggling with depression or anxiety

• Isolation: Pulling away from friends, family, and extracurriculars

• Risky or impulsive behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, self-harm, unprotected sex, and legal troubles such as stealing or vandalism 

• Thoughts or talks about suicide. If your teen is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s important to connect them with professional treatment     

Physical Signs of Depression

Research from JAMA Psychiatry found that mental health disorders like depression are a major contributor to disease in high-income countries, and depressive disorders are recognized as one of the primary causes of disability worldwide [6]. Unresolved, long-term depression can increase the risk of severe diseases in later adulthood, such as cancer, stroke, and alzheimers. 

In teens, depression can manifest as physical health symptoms, including: 

• Chronic stomachaches, vomiting, and indigestion 
• Constipation or diarrhea 
• Headaches, migraines
• Muscle tension, joint pain 
• Inability to sleep
• Weakened immune system  

How Do You Treat Depression in Teens? 

There are several evidence-based therapies that treat depression in teens. Although each therapy modality is different in its approach, they all share the common goal of helping teens: 

• Feel understood, validated, and reduce isolation 
• Express their thoughts and talk about their feelings
• Manage strong emotions and regulate their mood 
• Increase energy and regain motivation 
• Reduce harmful or risky behaviors such as substance use or self-harm
• Learn, practice, and implement coping skills 
• Rebuild family bonds and set boundaries if needed
• Identify and develop their inner strengths 
• Increase overall joy, optimism, and outlook on life 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This is the first line of treatment for depression in teens. CBT focuses on identifying and reframing thoughts that drive symptoms of mental health disorders. CBT therapists challenge cognitive distortions such as black or white thinking, encourage positive coping skills, and help teens set goals related to their recovery. 

Attachment-Based Family Therapy

Family therapy can address deep psychological wounds, intergenerational trauma, parenting styles, and communication in the home that increase the risk of teen depression. Family therapists help improve dynamics between teens and caregivers, focusing on skills such as open communication, active listening, respect, empathy, and setting boundaries. 

Group Therapy

Group therapy and peer support can help reduce isolation and foster connections in teens who may struggle with shame, loneliness, and low self-esteem. Teens can share insights about their own mental health and hear from others, creating a space for mutual understanding. 

Medication

Psychiatric medication, such as the use of SSRI antidepressants, is sometimes a necessary part of helping teens improve symptoms of depression that impact sleep, appetite, and mood. Medication addresses the underlying genetic and biological vulnerabilities and can regulate neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin. 

Despite stigma around mental health medication use, they are generally safe and proven to be highly effective when taken as prescribed, under clinical supervision.  

Evidence-Based Treatment for Teen Depression at Lotus Behavioral Health, Florida

Lotus Behavioral Health is a residential treatment facility for teens located in Florida. Our structured inpatient and outpatient programs are designed to support teens and their families with the tools they need to recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Our compassionate team understands the complexity of depression in teens and the unique challenges of adolescence. We offer a blend of comprehensive mental health services, such as individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, creative arts therapies, and skill-building workshops to help teens recover from depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. 

Contact our admissions team today to find the support your teen needs. 

Sources 

[1] CDC. 2025. Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health. 

[2] Rice, F. (2010). Genetics of childhood and adolescent depression: insights into etiological heterogeneity and challenges for future genomic research. Genome medicine, 2(9), 68.

[3] Thapar, K. et al. (2012). Depression in adolescence. Lancet (London, England), 379(9820), 1056–1067.

[4] National Institute of Mental Health. Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

[5] Yale Medicine. Anger, Irritability, and Aggression in Kids. 

[6] Frank, P. et al. 2023. Association Between Depression and Physical Conditions Requiring Hospitalization. JAMA. 

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