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Is Your Teen Depressed? How To Know, and What to Do
Henry Ford Health System Dr. Kelly Rogalski shares signs parents should be aware of – and options for help
The teen years are full of many changes – changing bodies, changing schools, and making important choices for the future. A teen's life is very full and, for some, can become overwhelming. What can parents and families do to help teens that may experience feelings of depression, or try to cope by abusing drugs?
"Depression is a medical illness," said Kelly Rogalski, M.D., the medical director of outpatient pediatric psychiatry for Henry Ford Health System. "Teen depression can be triggered by many factors. Common stressors in teens include the demands of school, peer relationships, family life, physical or sexual abuse and, many times, feeling overwhelmed from balancing too busy of a schedule."
Substance abuse, including marijuana use, can frequently trigger depression. "But there doesn't always need to be a cause," Rogalski said.
Teen depression is common. "Twenty percent of teens will experience depression by the age of 18," Rogalski said. "Approximately 8 percent of teens are currently experiencing depression." She noted that although depression is common, most teens are not getting the treatment they need. "Depression treatments are both safe and effective."
To identify symptoms of depression in your teen, Rogalski recommends looking for the following possible signs of concern: less attention to appearance, isolating behaviors, irritability, decline in grades, dropping out of activities once enjoyed, drug use, suicidal thoughts or comments about death, insomnia, anxiety and frequent physical complaints, like headaches and stomach aches.
Any comments a teen makes about death or suicide should be taken seriously. "Depressed teens frequently experience suicidal thoughts with up to 60 percent having suicidal thoughts," Rogalski said. Some parents are concerned about bringing up suicide for fear that it will plant the suggestion in their minds, but Rogalski said that's an unfounded fear. "It is safe to ask your teen about suicide, and this should be done in a caring, nonjudgmental and straightforward manner," she said.
If you suspect that your teen may suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts or is abusing drugs, contact a mental health professional. Rogalski advises seeking a psychiatrist specifically trained to work with children and adolescents. "Some treatments differ from adults, and extra training is needed to work with children, but not all psychiatrists have this training," she said. "Henry Ford Health System has one of the largest teams of board-certified pediatric psychiatrists and pediatric psychotherapists in southeast Michigan."
Henry Ford Health System's child and adolescent psychiatric department offers inpatient, outpatient and substance abuse services. Individual, family and parental guidance therapy are available, as well as group therapy for teens and children.
Kingswood Hospital in Ferndale cares for children and teens needing inpatient care. Maplegrove Center in West Bloomfield specializes in substance abuse, and there are five outpatient clinics throughout metro Detroit.
Henry Ford also has one of the nation's only walk-in clinics for comprehensive outpatient pediatric psychiatry, located in Dearborn. No appointment is necessary for the teen to be seen by a child and Adolescent psychotherapist and pediatric psychiatrist. Call 800-422-1183 for days and times.
If you believe a child or teen may require an evaluation for depression, or need other services, visit the Henry Ford Health System website, – or call 800-HENRYFORD to schedule an appointment.
