A Comprehensive Guide To Understanding The Atypical Signs of Depression in Adolescence
Depression affects millions of people worldwide, and teenagers aren’t immune to this mental health struggle. In fact, many people initially experience their first onset of depressive symptoms during adolescence.
Depression can impact every area of one’s functioning. It can compromise self-esteem and relationships. In severe cases, depressive symptoms can lead to suicide.
With that in mind, it’s important to remember that some symptoms aren’t always obvious. While many people picture the moody, withdrawn teenager when they think about depression, this illness can be far more insidious.
Understanding the atypical signs of depression in adolescence can help you better understand how to support your teenager. Let’s get into the symptoms you should know.
What Is Atypical Depression?
Any variant of depression can make someone feel sad, guilty, or unmotivated. However, atypical depression refers to a subtype of depression that temporarily lifts in response to positive experiences.
Despite the name, atypical depression is relatively common in adolescents. However, many loved ones don’t recognize the following symptoms as depression. Let’s unpack them.
Overeating or Significant Weight Gain
Many people assume that depression means losing your appetite. However, with atypical depression, the opposite effect may occur. Some people may find themselves hungrier than usual. Additionally, they might attempt to cope with or numb their difficult emotions with food.
In some cases, adolescents with atypical depression also struggle with a co-occurring eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. That being said, the occasional bout of overeating or gaining weight doesn’t inherently suggest an eating disorder.
Sleeping Excessively and Feeling Fatigued
Most teenagers love to sleep, but this type of excess sleep isn’t necessarily pleasurable. The rest feels like a necessity.
No matter what your teenager does (or doesn’t do), they still feel tired. Some adolescents will also experience insomnia, which can contribute to lethargy during the day. They may use stimulants like caffeine or nicotine to stay awake, which can perpetuate the ongoing problems with sleep.
Of course, sleep is critical for an adolescent’s developing mind and growing body. Sleep problems can result in issues with mental energy, physical health, and school performance.
Leaden Paralysis
Leaden paralysis is the clinical term for the heavy sensation people experience in their arms or legs. This feeling can persist for most or all of the day. In extreme cases, people may feel so weighed down that it seems difficult to get out of bed or a chair.
Chronic pain can exacerbate feelings of leaden paralysis. If your child experiences pain (or has recently recovered from an injury), schedule an appointment with their pediatrician to screen out any additional medical concerns.
Sensitivity to Rejection
During adolescence, teenagers aim to explore and establish their unique identities. This soul-searching process can be both exciting and stressful. Teenagers want to fit in with their friends, and they value the opinions of others.
This sensitivity to rejection extends beyond wanting approval from their peer groups. It can become all-encompassing. When some teenagers with depression experience this symptom, they feel a tremendous need to please others, perform well, and avoid criticism.
This symptom may manifest through:
Perfectionism: extremely high-achieving, wanting to be the very best.
Procrastination: fearing making a mistake, resulting in not starting at all.
Withdrawal: feeling shame about oneself and pulling away from loved ones.
Anger/hostility: projecting internal anger onto other people.
What Causes Atypical Depression?
When examining depression among youth, experts agree that there isn’t a single culprit for this condition. However, it’s important to understand the common risk factors, which include:
Family history of depression.
Chronic stress.
Interpersonal issues (bullying, ongoing problems with friends).
A history of trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Other mental health issues such as anxiety.
Co-occurring medical issues or traumatic brain injuries.
Atypical depression can range in severity. However, if left untreated, symptoms may progressively worsen.
Unfortunately, many people disregard depression in adolescence as normal mood swings. This dismissal can have devastating consequences for the young child. Depression extends beyond hormonal shifts or fluctuating emotions. It is a medical condition, and many people benefit from professional depression treatment to mitigate their symptoms.
Identifying Atypical Signs of Depression In Adolescence: What Should You Do Next?
The teenage years can be tumultuous. It’s vital for you to provide compassion, support, and validation during this time.
As a loved one, you can make a tremendous difference by listening without making assumptions. Ask more open-ended questions. Most of all, aim to promote a healthy space where your child can talk to you without judgment.
If you are starting to recognize atypical signs of depression in adolescence, consider reaching out for professional support. Therapy can help your teenager learn new coping skills to manage their symptoms. It also offers a healing environment that promotes self-awareness and growth.
I am here to support you or your loved one. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation.