Fayetteville , 13066

Addressing adolescent depression is sometimes a tricky road to navigate. Teens go through a lot of changes during these years, both physical and emotional. It may be difficult to determine which behaviors stand out as signs of depression.
There are two areas we can focus on, emotions and behavior. Emotionally, you can see: anger, rage, irritability, moodiness, lack of confidence, fatigue, sadness, lack of enthusiasm, hopelessness, and indecision. Behaviorally, you can see: isolation, drop in grades, drop in activities, and withdrawing.
To some degree, you may see some of these symptoms at different times with an adolescent. If these symptoms persist, or become extreme, it may be cause for concern.

For parents, trying to keep an active dialogue with your child is important. Although a child may not openly present what they are feeling, it is still important to try. Sometimes their reactions could give you some information to work with. If you have concerns, have your child talk with a professional. Having a professional evaluate your child will give you a piece of mind and point you and your child in a constructive direction.