Is Your Teen Struggling?

Has your teen lost interest in the things they used to love? Are they spending more time alone and less time with friends or family? Have you noticed them becoming more irritable, withdrawn, or tearful than usual? If any of these resonate with you, your teen may be experiencing depression—and they don’t have to face it alone.

Understanding Depression in Teens

Depression is more than just sadness—it’s a real and often overwhelming mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and functions. For teens, it can make it difficult to get through the school day, stay engaged in friendships, or find motivation for things they once enjoyed.

Some teens may express sadness openly or say they feel hopeless. But more often, depression in teens is hidden behind irritability, fatigue, or emotional shutdown. They might say they're "fine" while silently struggling with feelings of emptiness, self-doubt, or disconnection from themselves and others.

Depression may make getting out of bed or even responding to a message feel like too much.  Depression can even affect the body resulting in headaches, weight loss or gain, and body aches. 

Common Symptoms of Depression:

• Feeling tired or low-energy, no matter how much they sleep

• Losing interest in hobbies, sports, or friendships

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or stuck

• Isolating from friends and family

• Changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or energy

• Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches

What Depression Can Look Like in Teens

Adolescence is a time of rapid change—emotionally, socially, and physically. Teens today face pressures from school, social media, and relationships that can feel overwhelming even on a good day. When depression takes hold, it often shows up in less obvious ways.

You might notice your teen:

• Getting angry or irritated over small things

• Letting schoolwork or grades slip

• Avoiding friends, activities, or family time

• Spending hours on their phone, gaming, or zoning out

• Expressing low self-worth or self-critical thoughts

• Comparing themselves to others constantly

• Crying alone or seeming emotionally flat
  

Some teens may even express hopelessness about the future or question whether life is worth the effort—especially if they’ve been silently struggling for a while.

How Therapy Helps Teens with Depression

Therapy offers a safe, supportive space where your teen can talk honestly about what they’re going through—without pressure, judgment, or shame. It gives them tools to understand and manage their emotions, while also helping them feel truly seen and supported.

In therapy, your teen can:

• Understand and name what they’re feeling so it doesn’t stay bottled up

• Break the cycle of negative thoughts and self-blame

• Learn healthy coping strategies and emotional regulation skills

• Challenge unhelpful beliefs and build a more balanced inner voice

• Use proven CBT tools to manage mood, anxiety, and motivation

• Reconnect with their sense of self and rediscover what brings them joy

• Build self-confidence, resilience, and hope for the future

Therapy isn’t about “fixing” your teen—it’s about helping them find steady ground again. Whether your teen is high-achieving but hurting inside, or struggling to get through each day, healing is possible. With the right support, things can get better. If your teen is struggling with any of these symptoms or you think they could be experiencing depression, reach out today to request a free 15 minute consultation to discuss how I can help your teen move forward.