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Depression is not always just an emotional state that a teenager can get over. Depression can sometimes be caused by a chemical imbalance which needs to be tended to medically. When you notice your child displaying the following signs, it is important to make your first stop a visit to your family physician. The doctor can then refer you to a psychiatrist, if needed.

The signs for depression in teenagers differs in some ways compared to an adult. Some things to look for are:

1. Anger
2. Mood swings
3. Excessive crying
4. Detachment
5. Saying goodbye to everyone
6. Drugs and alcohol

When a teenager is depressed they are more likely to become angry and sometimes violent. Teenager also do not tend to isolate themselves like adults do. They still have friends but may cut their group down to just one or two people or they may change their group of friends altogether.

We read in the news and live through it personally the stories of children that displays all the signs of depression going on a rampage and going into their schools and shooting other students and teachers. The fear is very real when you go up to your children's school to pick them up and find that you can't get in, police are everywhere because the school is in a complete lock down. There is a report of a fifth-grader with a gun and they are trying to locate him in the school. When you are finally allowed in to get your little kindergartner, they are all crouched on the floor huddled together crying because they do not know what is going on.

As parents it is sometimes easier to live in denial when it comes to teenagers and depression. Sometimes it is hard to tell if your child is truly suffering from depression or just going through a "teenager mood." Don't take the chance. The fact of the matter is that it is no ones fault when children suffer from depression. Teenagers from all backgrounds are diagnosed with this disease. A teenager could be abused and neglected or from a very loving ideal family. Depression does not only affect the poor or the underprivileged. Go to the doctor and get help. Just like you would if your child had a ear infection. It may take a while, but just keep at it. Every child is worth it.

Learn more about this author, Amy Denney.
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