Get Your Teen Screened for Depression
If your child is between ages 12 and 18, ask the doctor about screening (testing) for depression — even if you don’t see signs of a problem.
Why do I need to get my teen screened for depression?
Depression can be serious, and many teens with depression don’t get the help they need.
The good news is that depression can be treated with counseling, medicine, or a combination of both. When you ask your child’s doctor about screening for depression, find out what services are available in case your teen needs follow-up care.
What Is Depression?
What is depression?
Depression is an illness that involves the brain. It can affect your thoughts, mood, and daily activities — and make you feel sad or down. But depression is more than feeling sad for a few days.
Teen depression can be a serious mental illness. If your child is depressed, they may:
- Feel sad or irritable (easily upset) most of the time
- Lose interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Have aches and pains for no clear reason
- Have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
- Sleep too much or be unable to sleep
- Eat too much or have trouble eating
- Use drugs or alcohol
- Think about death or suicide
It’s normal for teens to have mood swings, and it can be hard to tell if your child is feeling down or if they’re depressed. That’s why it’s so important for all teens to be screened for depression.
Learn more about depression in teens by checking out:
Causes
What causes depression?
Depression can happen to anyone. It’s not your fault or your teen’s fault. Some experiences may make it more likely that a teen will develop depression, like:
- Dealing with a big loss, like a death or divorce in the family
- Living with someone who’s depressed
- Having another mental health problem, like anxiety or an eating disorder
- Feeling stressed at school or at home
- Having a family history of depression
Keep in mind that teen girls are more likely to get depressed than teen boys.
What to Expect
What happens during a depression screening?
The doctor will ask your teen questions about their feelings and behaviors. This may include asking how often your teen:
- Feels hopeless or sad
- Has low energy or feels tired during the day
- Has trouble paying attention at school
- Eats too much or has trouble eating
Screening for depression usually takes about 5 minutes. It can be part of your teen’s yearly checkup.
Treatment
What if the doctor finds signs of depression?
If your child is showing signs of depression, the doctor will:
- Refer your teen to a therapist or doctor with special training in helping young people with emotional or behavioral problems
- Talk about medicines or other treatments — like talk therapy — that could help your teen manage their depression
- Order tests to check for other health problems
Make sure to include your teen when you make any decisions about treatment.
