Your teen begins to lash out at you for seemingly no reason. All they want to do is stay in their room. They barely come out to eat or shower, and even then, it’s because you made them. Sound familiar? This is what it can be like to live with a teen who is struggling with depression. 

Depression among teenagers is a serious concern. The National Health and Nutrition Survey (NCHS) found that of all of the age groups surveyed, the highest depression levels were in young adults ages 12-19 at 19.2%.

But what causes depression in teenagers? Below, we’ll explore the common causes, warning signs to watch for, and how you can offer meaningful support during this time in your teen’s life. 

The Many Faces of Teen Depression

As with most mental health issues, there’s no one for sure cause of teenage depression. Instead, it typically develops from a combination of the following:

• Biological
• Environmental
• Emotional
• Behavioral

Let’s look at each of these factors more in-depth.

Biological

Depression and other mental health conditions can run in families. Other issues, like changes in hormones and the brain’s developmental processes, can increase a teenager’s risk of developing depression.

Environmental

No matter how much you try to control the environment for them, sometimes circumstances occur that are simply beyond your control. For example, maybe a parent or a close family member gets sick and passes away. This sort of traumatic event can certainly set off depression symptoms in teens. Other issues, such as arguing or yelling, and even the atmosphere at school, like bullying, can trigger teen depression.

Emotional/Psychological

High school can be stressful for all teens, and they can put too much pressure on themselves. Maybe it is striving to be the best soccer player on the team or having a hard time in math. Many emotional and mental issues that teens go through can fuel their depression.

Behavioral

Sometimes, your teen’s behavioral changes can be your first clue that something is wrong. Changes like substance use, sleeping or eating more or less than usual, and engaging in unsafe or illegal behavior can be signs of depression in teens. 

Factors That Can Contribute to the Causes of Depression in Teens

Factors that can contribute to teenage depression may include:

• Genetics, brain chemistry, hormonal changes, and other health conditions.
• School and home life problems, grades, friendship issues, violence, and not getting along with parents.
• Emotional issues, breakups, deaths, traumatic events, self-esteem issues, and perfectionism.
• Digital issues like social media, bullying, and too much screen time.
• Substance use, risky behaviors, illegal behaviors, and other behavioral problems. 

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Let’s say your teen is typically neat and organized, but lately, she has been leaving clothes all over the floor, losing her homework assignments, and not wanting to shower as often as she used to; these could all be signs that your teen is struggling with depression.

Or maybe you have noticed that your teenage son has stopped playing the piano, and he has enjoyed playing the piano since childhood. Perhaps he has been staying out late, and you discover he’s been drinking with friends. Alcohol or drug use is often an attempt at self-medicating mental health issues and can be a warning sign that your teen is experiencing depression.

How Parents and Caregivers Can Help

If your teen is struggling with depression, you can try to help by doing the following:

• Provide them with a safe space where they can talk to you about anything bothering them without judgment.
• Maintain a calm, stable environment at home with less drama and more routine and structure.
• Help them avoid additional stress in athletics, extracurricular activities, and academic or social pressures.
• Help your teen unplug from devices or social media and spend some time in nature.
• Encourage writing in a journal or other creative outlets where they can express some of their inner feelings.
• Teach them the importance of self-care and taking time out of the day to show themselves love.
• Remind them that there is professional help available.

Causes of Teenage Depression are Complex

Teen depression is a complex issue, but there’s hope. At The Ridge RTC, we know what causes teen depression and use an individualized approach to treatment. We offer evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), individual treatment plans, and a team that deeply understands teens’ challenges in the modern world. Contact us today, and let our team help your teen start the healing journey.