1. This serious mental health problem affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.

2.

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness.

• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.

• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports.

• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.

3.

3. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood:

• An adjustment disorder occurs in response to a life event. Moving to a new schools, the death of a loved one, or dealing with a parents’ divorce are examples of changes that can spur adjustment disorder in teens.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia):

• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a low grade, chronic depression that lasts for more than a year. Teens with dysthymia are often irritable and they may have low energy, low self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness.

Bipolar Disorder:

• Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of depression followed by periods of mania or hypomania (a less severe form of mania). Both the depressive and manic states will last anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months. Symptoms of mania include a reduced need for sleep, difficulty focusing, and a short-temper.

Major Depression:

• Major depression is the most serious form of depression. It is estimated that 13 percent of teens, ages 12 to 17, experienced at least one episode of major depression in 2017, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

4.

• Ask Them If They Want Help.

• Simply Be There for Them.

• Take On a Creative Project Together.

• Leave Your Friend a Handwritten Note.

• Swing the Blues Away.

• Go Get Some Ice Cream.

• Do Whatever They Want to Do.

• Volunteer Together.

5. Encourage them to list their symptoms, when they occur and how they feel about them. Think of this as a way to help them open up and be more comfortable with getting support. Offer to go with them to the appointment, but be respectful of how they want to manage their own health.