Many times the challenges we see in struggling teens are complex, with a mixture of behavioral, developmental and psychological realities pulli8ng in opposite directions. Often depression is an underlying reality. As this resource on teenage depression points out, common symptoms of teen depression include:
- has trouble making/keeping friends
- declining grades/truancy
- loss of interest in normally focused activities
- anger/irritability/hostility
- weepiness/sadness
- restlessness/agitation
- excessive sexual behavior
- acting-out behavior (stealing, violence, self-injury)
- declining self-care and hygiene
- negative self-talk/low self-esteem
- disordered eating habits/change in appetite
- pessimism
- somatic complaints (headaches, stomach aches, etc.)
- isolationism/withdrawal
- difficulty with concentrating and/or decision making
- personality changes
- suicidal ideation
- substance use
