Depression in adolescents is not always easy to spot. Not only for a concerned parent but many doctors do not recognize depression in the adolescent.

The statistics are quite grave. It is estimated that one in eight adolescents may have depression.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds. The number of attempted suicides is even higher.

Common symptoms can be varied. Here are some signs to look out for:

Excessive irritability, acting withdrawn and apathetic, looking sad, or down, boredom, feeling unloved and rejected.

A tendency for self blame, overactive, anisocial behavior.
Depression can also show up as physical symptoms. Headaches, stomach pains, insomnia, weight-loss etc.

It has been reported that teens that externalize their anger are less likely to be depressed. Translated that internalized, bottled up anger leads to a higher risk for depression.

Allopathic treatment modalitites for adolescents parallels that of adult depression.  A comination of psychotherapy and medication greatly outperforms either modality used on it's own.

The situation in depression in pre teen children is much less clear. Most clinicians opt for a series of psychotherapy sessions in younger children unless the depression is severe or has not previously responded to psychotherapy.