How can you tell if your teen is just anxious about returning to school or genuinely depressed? Chris Kratochvil, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and an expert in teen depression at UNMC, says it can be difficult to tell the difference because many of the symptoms, such as irritability or moodiness, can also be present simply as a part of adolescence.
But the telltale signs of true depression is a teen’s lack of ability to function. Additionally, a lack of enthusiasm or enjoyment of activities the student used to enjoy, a lack of concentration, disrupted appetite and disrupted sleep could all signal possible depression.
Many times, teenagers who are experiencing major depression do not attract their parents attention over the summer, Dr. Kratochvil said, simply because demands on the student are limited — there are no academic expectations and they may or may not have a summer job. Parents may simply view the child as unmotivated. But once school resumes, the students are faced with academic and sports requirements, and their lack of ability to function is more noticeable. That is when parents may notice the child is withdrawing from friends, turning down opportunities for social outings, quitting sports they previously enjoyed or experiencing a drop in grades.
“It’s the level of dysfunction that we look for,” Dr. Kratochvil said. “And whether or not their symptoms are interfering with their ability to function, academically, socially , or within the family.”
Dr. Kratochvil also recommends talking to the teen’s teacher if you suspect depression. “The teacher may have a better appreciation of what is typical teen behavior vs. potentially having a disorder such as depression,” he said.
Parents who believe their child is depressed should contact their child’s primary care physician, or a mental health professional, for additional guidance, Dr. Kratochvil said.
Dr. Kratochvil is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at UNMC. In addition to teaching medical students about teen depression, he is leading a federally funded study on the topic at UNMC.