Get Your Teen Screened for Depression

If your child is between ages 12 and 18 years, ask the doctor about screening (testing) for depression — even if you don’t see signs of a problem.

Why do I need to get my teen screened for depression?

Depression can be serious, and many teens with depression don’t get the help they need.

The good news is that depression can be treated with counseling, medicine, or a combination of both. When you ask your child's doctor about screening for depression, find out what services are available in case your teen needs follow-up care.

Depression is an illness that involves the brain. It can affect your thoughts, mood, and daily activities — and make you feel sad or down. But depression is more than feeling sad for a few days.

Teen depression can be a serious mental illness. If your child is depressed, they may:

• Feel sad or irritable (easily upset) most of the time 
• Lose interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Have aches and pains for no clear reason
• Have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
• Sleep too much or be unable to sleep
• Eat more or less than usual
• Use drugs or alcohol
• Talk about death or suicide — or give away items that are important to them

It’s normal for teens to have mood swings — but if they have several of these symptoms every day for at least 2 weeks, it could be depression. But it can be hard to tell if your child is feeling down or if they’re depressed. That’s why it’s so important for all teens to be screened for depression.

And keep in mind that teen girls and teen boys often show different signs of depression. Girls may be more likely to feel sad or hopeless, while boys may be more likely to be irritable or to use drugs or alcohol.

Learn more about depression in teens by checking out:

• Childhood Depression: What Parents Need to Know
• Helping Your Teen with Depression

What causes depression?

Depression can happen to anyone. It’s not your fault or your teen’s fault. Some experiences may make it more likely that a teen will develop depression, like:

• Dealing with a stressful life situation, like a serious illness or a death in the family
• Living with someone who's depressed
• Experiencing trauma or abuse
• Having another mental health problem, like anxiety or an eating disorder
• Having problems at school, like being bullied by other students
• Having a family history of depression

Because of stigma and discrimination, teens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) are more likely to develop depression. But support from parents, caregivers, and friends can help them thrive. Learn more about supporting LGBTQ teens. 

What happens during a depression screening?

The doctor will ask your teen questions about their feelings and behaviors. This may include asking how often your teen:

• Feels hopeless or sad
• Has low energy or feels tired during the day
• Has trouble sleeping — or sleeps more or less than usual
• Eats more or less than usual
• Has trouble paying attention at school
• Thinks about wanting to hurt themselves in some way

Screening for depression usually takes about 5 minutes. It can be part of your teen’s yearly checkup.

What if the doctor finds signs of depression?

If your child is showing signs of depression, the doctor will:

• Refer your teen to a therapist or doctor with special training in helping young people with emotional or behavioral problems
• Talk about medicines and other treatments — like talk therapy — that can help your teen manage their depression
• Order tests to check for other health problems

Make sure to include your teen when you make any decisions about treatment.