October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is “Building Together, Governing Together, Sharing Together: United in Good Health and Peace of Mind.” Mental health, particularly among adolescents, has gained significant attention in recent years.
Adolescence is a pivotal time for growth and emotional development, making young people particularly susceptible to mental health challenges like depression. The ongoing social pressures and competitive atmospheres that many teens navigate can heighten the risk of developing depression. To effectively combat adolescent depression, it’s essential to focus on early understanding and identification.
What should parents and educators watch for? Here are some early signs of depression in teenagers:
1. **Persistent Low Mood:** A prolonged sense of sadness or emptiness, accompanied by a loss of ability to enjoy life.
2. **Loss of Interest:** A noticeable disengagement from activities that used to bring joy—whether it’s sports, friendships, hobbies, or games.
3. **Fatigue:** Feeling exhausted or lacking energy, even without strenuous activity. Tasks may begin to feel overwhelming.
4. **Intense Mood Swings:** Teens often experience more extreme emotional fluctuations than adults. Sudden changes from happiness to sadness or anger can occur. While some moodiness can be linked to hormonal shifts, constant feelings of sadness or irritability could signal deeper issues.
5. **Low Self-Esteem:** Expressions of inadequacy or disappointment in themselves, coupled with a pessimistic outlook on the future, may indicate underlying depression.
6. **Over-Sensitivity:** Heightened sensitivity to peer feedback can lead to feelings of neglect or isolation, exacerbating self-doubt.
7. **Decreased Attention Span:** Difficulty concentrating, which can make studying or completing tasks challenging.
8. **Reduced Motivation for Learning:** Depressive episodes can slow cognitive functions, impact concentration and memory, and consequently, affect academic performance.
9. **Rebellious Behaviors:** In an attempt to relieve internal stress, some teens may defy authority figures, with some resorting to extreme actions like substance abuse as a form of escapism.
10. **Internet Addiction:** Excessive use of social media, video games, or online platforms may serve as an escape from real-life pressures.
11. **Changes in Sleep and Eating Patterns:** Issues like insomnia, excessive sleep, loss of appetite, or binge eating can emerge during depressive episodes.
12. **Avoidance of Responsibility and Social Withdrawal:** A reluctance to interact with family or friends and decreased involvement in social and academic activities may indicate deeper issues.
13. **Physical Symptoms:** Unexplained aches and pains, such as headaches or stomachaches, can be common among depressed teens.
14. **Self-Harm:** Signs of self-harm, such as cuts or burns that don’t align with typical accidents, are serious and should not be overlooked.
15. **Suicidal Thoughts:** Open discussions about death or suicide, sudden mood changes from despair to calmness, and withdrawal from social circles might suggest the presence of suicidal ideation.
It’s crucial for parents and teachers to remain vigilant and observant of shifts in a teen’s emotions and behaviors. If there are consistent signs of emotional distress, a proactive approach is needed—asking gently about their feelings can be a critical first step.
When mental health challenges significantly impede a young person’s life and learning, it’s advisable for parents to consult a psychiatrist rather than first approaching a counselor. Psychiatrists can evaluate whether a teen is experiencing temporary feelings of depression or clinical depression and develop an appropriate treatment plan that may include therapy or other interventions.
Addressing adolescent depression is a complex process that requires collaboration among hospitals, families, and schools. While treatment is absolutely important, ongoing emotional support and environmental adjustments are equally critical in preventing relapses and helping young individuals navigate their psychological struggles.
This piece has been contributed by Dr. Shi Ruolin and He Fan from the Department of Child Psychiatry at An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, and reviewed by Wang Gang, a member of the National Health Science Popularization Expert Database and Director and Chief Physician at An Ding Hospital.
