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Many parents don't realize that children and teens can suffer from depression. But they can. In fact, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, depression affects an estimated 14 percent of adolescents in the United States. Symptoms of depression in teens, however, can differ from those in adults. The following behaviors or conditions may be symptoms of depression in your teen. If your child displays any of these warning signs, call a pediatrician, mental health professional, school counselor or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Remember that depression is a treatable illness. But, if left undiagnosed and untreated, depression can lead to suicide, which is now the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds in the United States.

•	Noticeable changes in personality or in eating and sleeping habits
•	Sustained sadness, irritability or boredom
•	Unexplained violent or rebellious behavior, significant problems with parents
•	Withdrawal from family or friends
•	Substance use, such as tobacco, alcohol or other drugs
•	Significant weight gain or loss and unusual neglect of appearance
•	Difficulty concentrating or unexplained drop in schoolwork quality
•	Unplanned pregnancy
•	Problems dealing with sexual orientation, which may put teens at greater risk for developing depression
•	Unusual interest in themes of death or giving away prized possessions
•	Talking about suicide, or threatening or attempting to kill oneself
•	Running away or being incarcerated

Sources: American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics

Resources

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
3615 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-3007
202-966-7300
www.aacap.org
Provides information on the diagnosis, research and treatment of mental illnesses affecting children, adolescents and their families.

National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
703-524-7600
www.nami.org
Offers wide range of information, support and advocacy for individuals and families dealing with mental illness.