How to recognize signs of depression in teenagers during a difficult...

With National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month coming to an end and health officials warning of a difficult pandemic winter, it’s important that parents know how to identify symptoms of depression in their teenagers and what to do about them.

Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D., is a senior scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and the first director of Robert S. and Grace W. Stone’s primary prevention initiatives aimed at researching, developing, and evaluating programs to incidence to prevent depression and other mental health problems in children and adolescents.

Gladstone and her team screened hundreds of middle and high school students for depression before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the social isolation of the pandemic has not been generally problematic for adolescents, Gladstone suggests that there is reason to believe that the incidence of symptoms of depression and anxiety is higher today than it was before. She is available for interviews on how parents can be vigilant and seek help when they need it.

Gladstone said:

“The pandemic is having a huge impact on young people, and different young people experience this time very differently. Speaking to many teens and their parents about the effects of the pandemic, I have heard stories about the isolation teens are now feeling and the stress of being separated from peers and school supporters. I’ve also heard stories about how some teenagers are getting better now without the stress of routine peer interactions and schedules that are too full of outside activities. It is too easy to say that all teenagers are suffering from the life changes associated with the pandemic, but I think current circumstances are forcing teenagers to make significant changes in their routines, and the general family and social stress of the time is challenging for a lot of young people. ”

“Parents should expect their teenagers to feel more depressed or anxious now because of the pandemic as well as the tense political climate. Teens have different ways of showing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but parents should first look for changes in their teenagers’ behavior that last for a few weeks. All teenagers have quiet days or times when they seem particularly worried about anything, and parents shouldn’t worry if they notice regular, fleeting changes in mood or behavior. But if your teen is generally warm and sociable and suddenly appears irritable and withdrawn, and these symptoms persist for a few weeks, there is cause for concern. ”

“Teens are often better than we think when it comes to sharing their experiences with symptoms of anxiety and depression when we ask them how they are doing. So often parents just don’t think about asking their teenagers how they are, what they are experiencing and what they need, but through our work we have found time and time again that many teenagers, when asked, come up with their feelings and feelings concerns arise. My best advice to parents: listen to your stomach. If you are concerned about your child, or if you are concerned that they are having problems, reach out to them and express your concern. When she and you have some free time and privacy, go up to her and start a conversation. ”