Many parents feel confused and even a bit surprised when they first learn that their adolescent is struggling with depression. Kids can do a good job of masking their symptoms — until they’re overwhelmed. There are many potential causes and risk factors that can contribute to depression symptoms in adolescents. Most often, it’s a combination of several different things.
Knowing what factors can affect your child’s social, mental and emotional well-being can help you understand their experience and support them through it. In this article, we’ll share 10 factors that may exacerbate existing depression symptoms in adolescents and how we help children learn to manage their feelings and symptoms.
What causes depression in adolescence?
Each young person who experiences depression is unique. While our children have a different set of life circumstances, they also respond differently to these things. The Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence (IDEA) global research consortium studied depression in adolescents and examined factors that can make it worse. They found that genetics play a role in who develops depression. For adolescents, physical health, nutrition, and a stable and supportive home life are important protective factors. If a child’s family lacks access to basic resources, or if they feel unsafe, that child may be more likely to feel depressed in the midst of a major life change. Adolescents in every socioeconomic group may struggle with low self-esteem, unhealthy coping mechanisms, social pressures, or high expectations for their performance in school.
10 factors that may worsen the symptoms of depression in adolescents
Your child has a unique emotional landscape. If they are experiencing depression, there’s no need to blame yourself. Depression is a fact of life for many people, and if your child is prone to it, they’ll need help managing their symptoms. The same things that work for you may not work for your child, and that’s OK. As they grow more independent, however, they will need to be able to talk about their feelings and find healthy ways to manage them. Asking for help is another critical skill that many people don’t learn at this young age.
Understanding their depression and knowing what kinds of things can make it worse will be an important part of maintaining good mental health for them. The following are just 10 out of 31 factors identified by the IDEA research consortium that may worsen your adolescent’s depression symptoms:
- Low self-esteem — Self-esteem shouldn’t be taken for granted. It has to be developed through positive experiences and nurturing relationships. If they don’t believe that they’re a good person and they’re capable of doing hard things, your child will be more vulnerable to the negative thoughts and feelings that come along with depression.
- Ineffective or unhealthy coping mechanisms — Depression has a way of snowballing into an overwhelming force when it’s not managed effectively. Some unhealthy coping mechanisms that seem to work in the short term, like substance use or disordered eating, will cause bigger problems later on. Your child will need some help finding healthy coping mechanisms that work for them.
- Major life changes — Depression symptoms can increase after a big event like a move to a new city or the loss of a close family member. Your child needs to be extra vigilant and proactive about good mental health at these times.
- High academic expectations — Adolescents may internalize any pressure they’re feeling from parents or teachers to maintain good grades. Sometimes they’re harder on themselves than we realize. This pressure can fuel negative self-talk.
- Instability in the home environment — Feeling unsafe or insecure at home usually has a negative impact on a child’s mental health. Frequent arguing, caregivers with unpredictable moods, and adult responsibilities can all contribute to depression.
- Social pressures — Adolescence is a stage of development when people are very sensitive to fitting in and being liked by their peers. Bullying at school or online, peer pressure, and comparing oneself to others can make depression worse.
- Malnutrition — Your child is growing, so eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrients they need will affect their mood, their brain function, and their energy level. Not getting enough to eat or lacking certain nutrients may worsen their depression.
- Physical illness, injury or disability — Being physically unwell can raise a person’s risk of depression at any age. If your child is injured or sick for an extended period, they may need more support to maintain a positive outlook.
- Limited access to resources — Poverty and a lack of supportive resources like positive mentors or mental health treatment may affect your child’s ability to manage their depression.
- Safety concerns — Exposure to gun violence and different types of abuse — or any perceived threat to your child’s safety — may worsen your child’s sense of worthiness and well-being. It may take a few honest conversations to find out if your child is fearing for their safety.
The IDEA research consortium identified these additional risk factors for depression in adolescents:
- Endocrine factors
- Family history
- Female sex
- Gender dysphoria
- Inflammation
- Cognitive distortions
- Emotional abuse
- Emotional reactivity
- Exposure to trauma
- Neglect and deprivation
- Other mental disorders
- Physical, sexual and emotional abuse
- Bullying
- Discrimination
- Environmental toxins
- Gender roles and expectations
- Humanitarian emergencies
- Migration issues
At Embrace U, we help adolescents become more resilient to depression symptoms
Sometimes the life circumstances causing depression can change. In most cases, it takes professional treatment and a conscious effort to improve one’s mental health during a depressive episode. The decision to start treatment can be tough. However, taking the time to learn how to manage their depression now can set your child up for a lifetime of mental well-being.
At Embrace U, we provide comprehensive outpatient treatment for adolescents aged 10 to 18 that helps them be proactive about their own mental health. In our programs, young people receive a combination of individual, family, and group treatments. We’ve helped many adolescents experiencing depression get through difficult periods and feel more capable of managing their depression.
Do you have questions about how to support your child? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
