Parents often find it hard to figure out what is going on in the mind of their teenager. Odd behaviors, such as refusal to share and greater irritability, are not uncommon. These are also common signals for teenage depression. So, how do you know whether the behavior of your child is “only a phase” or whether the problem is serious?

Teenagers think differently than adults. They are often unsure about their qualities, skills and looks and tend to have lower self-esteem. At the same time, teens want to find their social medium and seek more independence. The confusion is even greater given the hormonal and other physical changes that are taking place in the bodies of adolescents. The mood swings and their wide range are something typical for almost every teen. The greater sensitivity to criticism is also common. Adolescents find it harder to go through failures at school and breakups during this period.

For all these reasons, it is considered normal for a teenager to get depressed from time to time. In fact, it is natural for every person to feel down in certain moments of their life. Psychologists call this type of momentum depression ‘situational depression’. This type of teenage depression is frequently observed in adolescents and it does not pose a serious threat. It is not considered a disorder. It is only a phase.

What are the characteristics of situational depression? This type of depressive state is triggered by a specific situation. The situation varies from one case to another, but it is always associated with the greater sensitivity of teenagers towards disturbing events in their lives. It is possible for the depression to be triggered by unshared feelings, a breakup, by a fight with a friend or by a bad grade at school. The adolescent will feel sad, hopeless and worthless. They may withdraw from friends and family and behave untypically. However, the symptoms and the depression will go away eventually.

It is important for a parent to recognize these so called phases. If the teen does not get sufficient support and understanding, the condition might worsen. You should keep an eye on your child and encourage them to share with you. It is important to note the signs of situational depression when they first appear. It is best to gradually build a stronger bond with your teenager. You can start by doing more things together and talking about life in general. You should let your child know that they can trust you. It is essential for you to be understanding and supportive when your teenager shares with you. Their problems might seem petty to you, but for your child they are extremely serious.

You now know how to identify depression when it is only a phase. It is equally important for you to recognize when teenage depression has turned into a serious problem and can be classified as a disorder. The specialists usually consider depression to be a medical condition after the sufferer has experienced the symptoms for two weeks and is not improving. That is why you should be vigilant when your teen is depressed due to a situation in their personal life or at school. If the problem is prolonged and seems to be worsening, you should take your child to their general health care provider. They will recommend a specialist once they determine that your teen’s problem is not physical. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine your child and assign a diagnosis.

Generally, you should pay greater attention to the reasons behind the situational depression of your teen. In most cases, as described earlier, the phase is triggered by a problematic situation, which can be resolved eventually. However, when the event is more serious, such as a death in the family or divorce, parents should take adequate measures immediately. Such situations are shocking for everyone and can have an extremely negative impact on an overly sensitive teenager. For this reason, if the situation is serious, you might consider counseling for your child. This is the best way to prevent teenage depression and avoid problems such as suicidal thoughts and behavior, drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Overall, be close to your teenager in order to figure out whether it is a phase or a serious case of teenage depression.

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