Depression Management for Adolescents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness that do not go away. You may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. These feelings may interfere with your daily life. Depression may be caused by changes in brain chemicals that affect your mood. Stress, a family history of depression, and conditions such as ADHD can increase your risk. Do not wait for the feelings to go away. Depression can be managed.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

• Appetite changes, or weight gain or loss
• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Lack of energy
• Feeling restless, irritable, or withdrawn
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, discouraged, or guilty
• Trouble concentrating, remembering things, doing daily tasks, or making decisions
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

How is depression diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may talk to you without your family in the room. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and how long you have had them. Tell your provider if your symptoms are causing problems at home, school, or work. Your provider will ask if you have any family members with depression. Tell your provider about any stressful events in your life. Your provider may ask about any other health conditions or medicines you take. Your provider may also ask family members if they have noticed you have any signs of depression.

How is depression treated?

Your healthcare provider will help you and your family develop a plan for your treatment. Your provider will help you make plans for coping at home, school, and around friends. The plan may include an emergency contact in case you feel like hurting yourself or others. It may also include regular exercise, good nutrition, and any of the following:

• Antidepressant medicine may be given to decrease or manage symptoms. You may need to take this medicine for several weeks before they start working. Tell your provider about any side effects or problems you have with your medicine. The type or amount of medicine may need to be changed.
• Therapy can help you learn to cope with your thoughts and feelings. This can be done alone or in a group. It may also be done with family members. Therapy and antidepressant medicines are often used together to treat depression or prevent it from coming back later. Healthcare providers can help you find the kinds of medicine and therapy that work best for you.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Cymbalta
• Lexapro
• Zoloft
• Wellbutrin XL
• Prozac

View more treatment options

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

How can I manage depression?

• Get regular physical activity. Try to get at least 1 hour of physical activity every day, such as going for a walk. Physical activity can improve depression and help you sleep better.
• Get enough sleep. Create a routine to help you relax before bed. You can listen to music, read, or do yoga. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Sleep is important for emotional health.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. A healthy meal plan is low in fat, salt, and added sugar. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about a meal plan that is right for you.
• Do not use alcohol, nicotine products, or drugs. These can make your symptoms worse. Tell your provider if you use these and need help to quit.

What can I do if I need to talk to someone?

• Talk to an adult you trust. If you feel like you cannot talk to your parents, talk to a school nurse or counselor. Tell someone about your feelings and thoughts. Tell the person if you feel like you might harm yourself. Tell him or her if you are being bullied by someone.
• Talk with your friends. Your friends can listen and understand how you feel. Your friends can support you and help you focus on positive things in your life.
• Contact a crisis hotline: Many crisis hotlines are available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Contact a suicide prevention organization:
    • For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
      • Call or text 988
      • Send a chat on https://988lifeline.org/chat
      • Call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
    • For the Suicide Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)
  • For a list of international numbers: https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/

Where can I find more information or support?

• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
  Arlington , VA 22203
  Phone: 1- 703 - 524-7600
  Phone: 1- 800 - 950-6264
  Web Address: http://www.nami.org
  

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  PO Box 2345
  Rockville , MD 20847-2345
  Phone: 1- 800 - 988
  Web Address: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org OR https://988lifeline.org/chat/
  

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US), or ask someone to call if:

• You think about hurting or killing yourself or another person.
• You tell someone you want to hurt or kill yourself or another person.

When should I call my doctor or therapist?

• Your symptoms do not improve.
• You have new or worsening symptoms.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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