Depression in teenagers

By ReachOut Content Team
Updated 27 January 2026

The teen years are a time of significant change and growth. They can also present some pretty tough challenges. If you’ve noticed that your teen is feeling sad a lot of the time, has lost interest in activities they usually enjoy, or seems withdrawn, there’s a chance they may be experiencing depression. 

This guide can help you understand the causes of depression in teenagers, signs to watch out for, and the steps you can take to support a teenager with depression.

This article covers:

What is depression?

Everyone feels moody, down or angry at times – these are normal emotions, especially during the teenage years. But if those feelings stick around for two weeks or more, and start getting in the way of everyday life, it could be a sign of depression.

Depression is a mental health issue that involves persistent feelings of sadness, anger or despair that last for two weeks or more and affect their ability to participate in daily life. Depression in teens is relatively common; 1 in 4 young adults will experience some form of depression. It can affect anyone, regardless of background, personality or family situation, and is more common in girls than boys.

How does depression in teens affect their brains?

Depression can physically change the brain, which can affect how you feel, think and act. One way it does this is by increasing the amount of cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) produced, which can negatively affect brain cell growth.

Parts of the teenage brain that are affected by depression

The parts of the brain that can be affected by depression include the:

  • hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory

  • prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in high-level thinking and planning, and manages attention and impulse control

  • amygdala, which controls aggression and processes strong emotions such as fear, anger and sadness.

The longer a teenager is affected by depression, and the more severe it is, the greater the impact depression can have on these areas of the brain. Getting help early can help reduce, ease or even reverse some of these effects.

The difference between moods and depression in adolescence

During the teenage years, changes in the brain can make adolescents quite emotional. These changes aren’t complete until their mid-twenties, and the last brain regions to develop are those responsible for planning, awareness of consequences and perspective. As a result, it’s normal for teenagers to be moody from time to time. But if a low mood is significant and persistent, or starts to interfere with school, relationships or daily life, it may be a sign of depression.

What causes depression in teens?

There are many risk factors that can influence depression in adolescence, including:

  • Biological: physical factors such as hormones, physical health issues and differences in brain chemistry

  • Genetic: a family history of depression

  • Personality traits and learned patterns of thinking: such as pessimism, self-doubt, low self-esteem, perfectionism and being highly sensitive

  • Traumatic or stressful events: such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, a death or divorce in the family, big changes in routine or lifestyle, and stress or bullying at home, school or online

  • A history of other mental illnesses: such as substance abuse, anxiety or personality disorders.

How can I recognise the symptoms of depression in teens?

Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish the signs of depression in teens from the mood changes that are a normal part of growing up. The symptoms of depression are different for everyone, but may include some of the following:

  • feelings of worthlessness, sadness or hopelessness

  • extreme changes in mood, such as frequent angry outbursts, irritability, or crying episodes for no apparent reason

  • low energy and lack of motivation

  • thoughts of death or suicide

  • withdrawing from friends and family

  • engaging in risk-taking behaviours, such as unprotected sex, or alcohol or drug abuse

  • changes in appetite

  • changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, or staying in bed most of the day

  • not performing as usual at school or extracurricular activities

  • trouble concentrating

  • decreased interest in activities that were previously important or enjoyable for them.

If they’ve been experiencing these for more than two weeks, or if it’s severely affecting your child’s daily life, it may be a sign that your teen is experiencing depression. 

What is the difference between adult and teen depression?

While many of the signs of depression are similar in both teens and adults, there are some differences. Specific signs of depression in teens to look out for include:

  • anger or irritability, which is often the predominant emotion in teenage depression, rather than the overwhelming sadness seen in adults

  • oversensitivity to criticism or rejection, due to their extreme feelings of worthlessness

  • selective withdrawal, rather than complete isolation – teens tend to withdraw from some people, such as parents and some social groups, but keep up at least some friendships

  • unexplained aches and pains, as teenagers can be particularly prone to physical symptoms of depression.

How do I talk to my teenager about depression?

If you notice some of the signs of depression in your child, it’s important to talk to them about it, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable for you both. Here’s how you can approach the conversation:

  • Choose the right time and place. Pick somewhere private and quiet, at a time when your teen is calm and relaxed.

  • Be specific. Point out what you’ve noticed and why it’s worrying you. For example, you might say: ‘I’ve noticed that you’ve been sleeping in longer than normal recently.’

  • Ask open-ended questions. Encourage them to open up with questions like, “How have you been feeling lately?” or “Is there anything on your mind that you want to talk about?”

  • Listen openly. Practise active listening, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. 

  • Validate their feelings. Everyone’s experiences with depression are different. Even if your teen’s thoughts and feelings don’t make sense to you, it’s important not to downplay them. Acknowledging now will help your teen feel comfortable opening up to you in the future.

  • Don’t lecture them. Being lectured, scolded or given an ultimatum can potentially make teenagers withdraw further and feel uncomfortable about opening up to you again.

  • Offer to help them in specific ways. Depression can often affect decision-making and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Instead of simply asking, ‘Do you need anything?’, offer specific suggestions. For example, offer to finish their laundry or to make ready-to-go breakfasts, so they don’t have to rush in the morning.

  • Verbalise your unconditional support. Let your teen know that you will always be there to support them through this, no matter what.

Don’t take it personally if your teen doesn’t want to talk to you. They may need more time to process how they’re feeling, or they may not feel comfortable talking to a parent about their mental health. The best thing to do in this case is to give them space and encourage them to speak to someone else (like a helpline or GP) when they are ready. Remind yourself that the important thing is that your teen opens up to someone, even if that someone isn’t you.

Many parents find these kinds of conversations challenging. You can find one-to-one support via the ReachOut Coaching Service, or read up on some tips for effectively communicating with your teenager.

How can I support my teenager with depression at home?

Getting support early gives them the best chance at recovery and can help reduce the impact of depression on their life – for example, on their friendships, performance at school and hobbies.

Here are some key ways you can support them at home:

  • Be there to chat. It’s common for depressed teens to withdraw, so create opportunities to connect without any pressure and when they can have your full attention. If they’d prefer not to talk to you, encourage them to talk to a friend or to connect anonymously online with others on a forum like Orygen’s MOST or Headspace’s online community.

  • Encourage challenging negative thoughts. Help your teen understand that just because we think something, it doesn’t mean that it’s true. Suggest writing down the thoughts and identifying alternative, more balanced ones. For example, if they find themselves thinking, ‘No one cares about me,’ they can challenge this thought by asking themselves if there are any exceptions to that idea and coming up with an alternative thought, such as ‘My sister cares about me.’ It's important that they come up with these alternative thoughts themselves, as they’re more likely to believe them. You could share this article with your teen about challenging negative thoughts.

  • Stay active as a family. Exercise is a natural mood booster. Start small if their motivation is low. Ask your teen if they want to join you for a walk around the block or to do 5–10 minutes of yoga at home. Even just encouraging them to spend some time outside their room can help them gain momentum.

  • Make time for fun family activities. Depression can drain motivation, making it hard to enjoy things. Find some activities that your teen normally enjoys and do them together, like drawing, cooking an easy meal or playing a video game. Read more about self-care that can help with a teen's depression. If your teen is interested in learning more, you can share this article about depression with them.

When should I take my teen to see a doctor for depression?

Getting support as early as possible for depression and mental health problems provides the best chance at recovery. If your teen has been experiencing symptoms of depression on more days than not, for two weeks or longer, seeing a GP could be beneficial. 

A GP can assess their symptoms and work with them to find the right type of support, which could involve referring them to a mental health professional such as a psychologist, counsellor or youth worker. In some cases, medication such as antidepressants may be prescribed, though it's often most effective when combined with other strategies, and many people who have depression manage their symptoms comfortably with non-pharmaceutical treatments.

Online and phone support options are available if they don’t feel comfortable speaking to someone face-to-face. There are lots of different options, including:

Check out our list of anxiety and depression support services over on our youth site.

If you’ve tried to speak to your teenager and they’ve denied they need help, all you can do for now is remind them that the communication lines are always open and your help is always available. Learn more about supporting teenagers who don’t want help with their depression.

If there’s an immediate risk of harm to your teen or someone else, call emergency services on 000.

How can I take care of myself when my teen has depression?

It’s easy to get caught up in what your teen needs from you, but prioritising self-care will help you recharge and be a more effective support for them. Here are some ways you can take care of yourself:

  • Don’t blame yourself. It’s common to think that their behaviour is a reflection of your parenting or that you’re to blame, but depression can stem from many causes, and the fact that you’re actively looking for ways to support them means that you have your teen’s best interests at heart. Read more about how to cope when you feel like a bad parent.

  • Prioritise your health. Maintain a foundation of good physical health with plenty of sleep, nutritious food, and regular exercise. Taking these steps helps manage your stress and ensures you have the energy needed to support your family.

  • Lean on your support network. Stay connected with your friends and family - a chat with a trusted person can help provide perspective or take your mind off things. You can also book an appointment with a GP or psychologist for yourself, or access ReachOut’s one-on-one support for parents and carers.

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