Is It Normal To Have Depression In High School?
Depression is a common mental disorder that causes severe symptoms which can impact daily activities such as sleeping, eating, working, and studying. Just how common is the disorder? According to the World Health Organization, it impacts approximately 280 million people worldwide, including children, teens, and adults. In 2021 alone, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5 million teens in the United States reported depressive symptoms. From mild depression to severe depression, symptoms can be serious and may require treatment to be managed.
Depression can impact both your mental and physical health, making it difficult to complete day-to-day tasks. It can also lead to suicide, which is the fourth leading cause of death in people 15-29 years old. It’s a leading cause of disability worldwide, and statistics show that it’s a large factor in the overall global burden of disease.
For adolescents experiencing depression in high school, social relationships, schoolwork, and transitioning into adulthood can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways to handle mental health challenges and find support for your medical condition. Depression is fairly common and highly treatable, and you are not alone.
What are the symptoms of depression in teenagers?
Symptoms of depression in teens can be similar to those in adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, commonly reported signs and symptoms of a depressive disorder include:
Feeling down or experiencing sadness that lasts at least two weeks
Irritability or anger outbursts
Insomnia or sleeping more than usual
Changes in weight or appetite
Self-esteem issues
Self-harming behaviors
Feeling fatigued or tired
Hopelessness or worthlessness
Not feeling interested in previously enjoyed activities
Isolating from family or friends
Skipping school or classes
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling guilty for no identifiable reason
Feeling numb
Substance abuse
Suicidal thoughts or urges*
*If you are experiencing thoughts or urges of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support.
Teen depression may cause challenges during school, after-school programs, or within the family. During a depressive episode, a teen may struggle to complete assignments or seem withdrawn from school activities, such as sports, clubs, or dances. They may experience a combination of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. This is not an exhaustive list— other symptoms may present during a depressive episode– so it’s always best to reach out to an adult if you’re concerned about how you’ve been feeling.
Is it normal to have depression in high school?
Although depression is not uncommon, experiencing clinical depression is not a normal part of development. If you're an adolescent, you may experience distressing symptoms and wonder if something is wrong. Talking to your parents, school counselors, or therapist about these feelings can be essential in managing a depressed mood. Many schools offer counseling groups, accommodations, and resources for teens experiencing depression.
Causes of teenage depression
Transitions
Adolescence is often a stage of life full of changes and transitional periods. Teens may go through puberty, explore sexuality and gender, learn more about their romantic interests, attend school, and start planning for adult life.
The switch from childhood to adolescence can be challenging. Hormone levels are often higher during puberty, and your body may start changing in confusing ways. Studies indicate that puberty in those assigned female at birth can cause an elevated risk of depression. Additionally, hormones like estrogen and testosterone can cause mood changes as they increase in your body.
Commonly reported stressful events for adolescents may include:
Demands of school and work
Parental divorce or separation
Moving homes, cities, states, or countries
Financial stress in the family
Social conflicts with friends at school
Self-esteem and body issues
High expectations or too many extracurricular activities
Illness or illness in the family
World events
Social media expectations
Planning for college or adult life
Homelessness or living in a group home
Hospitalization for mental health
Childhood trauma or abuse*
If you're a teen or child experiencing or witnessing abuse of any kind from a family or caregiver, reach out to the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature.
If you are an adult facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. You can also use the online chat.
Social media and body image
Social media often exposes users to a significant level of marketing and media. This media may showcase specific beauty standards, utilize heavy editing, and market toward a particular audience.
In 2021, the University of Twente conducted a study on teens using the social media platform TikTok. The study found that the app and the media contained in it had profoundly harmful impacts on the mental health and body image of teens.
In another recent study on social media and adolescence, researchers found that 95% of teen girls report seeing negative comments related to beauty standards and body image through comments, videos, photos, and posts. 72% of those girls witnessed this weekly.
Body image issues may be a significant factor in depression or other mental disorders or mood disorders, such as eating disorders. As a parent, limiting children's social media usage can be beneficial in helping to prevent depression. As a teen, following accounts that promote body positivity and self-love may be a valuable way to safeguard your mental health.
Family dysfunction
Teens experiencing stress or traumatic events in the family may struggle with mental health. A recent PubMed study showed that teens living in a hostile or dysfunctional family environment were more likely to develop depression and that parent-child relationships can influence mental health.
Bullying
Bullying has a direct correlation with depression and mental health issues. In some of the most recent details available from the National Institute for Mental Health, it’s asserted that more than 20% of middle and high school students experience traditional bullying during the school year. Bullying prevention in schools and communities can be essential for the health of young kids and adolescents.
If you're a teen experiencing bullying at school or in your social circle, reach out for support. The Teens Against Bullying site has a list of resources for adolescents being bullied and those who want to speak up against bullying at their schools.
Genetics
Depression can be a hereditary disorder. Scientists estimate that depression has a hereditary rate of 40-50%. If a close biological family has a history of depression, you could be more at risk for experiencing depression. However, depression is treatable, and there are methods of getting support.
Substance use
According to Mental Health America, substance abuse and depression can be involved in a reciprocal relationship where one leads to the other. Mood disorders– such as depression and bipolar disorder– may often co-occur with substance use disorders.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
How to get support for high school depression
There are several options for teens experiencing symptoms of depression to try to find support.
Talk to your caregiver
Before talking to a parent or caregiver, ensure you are in a safe location and are not at risk of abuse or maltreatment. If this individual is unaware of your mental health symptoms, ask them if you can talk about what is going on in your life as well as treatment possibilities.
Be as open as possible about what you're experiencing with your depression. If you struggle to remember, write a list of your depressive symptoms and bring it to the conversation. If you're hoping to receive support or treatment, consider asking if you can attend therapy or talk to your doctor about antidepressant medication.
Consider imparting a depression resources guide for parents. If your primary caregiver is not familiar with the condition, they may want to do some reading to understand your concerns further or reach out to healthcare providers who can provide more information.
Reach out to your school counselor
If you feel unsafe or are unable to discuss your concerns with a parent or caregiver, you might also reach out to a school counselor to talk about your symptoms of depression. They may have a brochure, book, or website for you to check out for further information or other resources to refer you to.
Your school counselor may advocate for you to your caregiver and support you in finding community resources for your symptoms. In some cases, mental health support groups or accommodations may be available to you at school.
If you feel an urge to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts at school, ask your teacher if you can visit your guidance counselor. Let the counselor know what you're experiencing, and they can reach out to the proper services for you.
If you feel unsafe at home, communicate this to your counselor. Depending on the situation, they might ask you questions about your caregivers and any potential maltreatment and may contact government resources on your behalf. Your counselor is available to support you and keep you safe.
Ask for treatment
If you feel safe doing so, the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that you talk to your parents about treatment for depression. Common therapy modalities used for teens include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), talk therapy, and humanistic therapy.
In some cases, depression in teens is treated using antidepressant medications. A medical doctor or psychiatrist will often prescribe these depending on your symptoms and other treatment possibilities.
It can be normal and okay to take antidepressants in high school. If you require medication to feel happy, content, or productive as a teen, there is nothing wrong with you. Therapy is also a commonly used treatment method for major depression, and in 2019 alone, over 4 million children and teens utilized therapy or counseling services for a mental health condition such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
Teenage life can come with several challenges and transitions. If you feel too busy to attend treatment in person, ask your parents about trying online therapy. Research shows that online counseling for teens with depression and anxiety is as effective as traditional in-person counseling.
For those under 18, an online counseling platform like TeenCounseling can be beneficial. For those over 18, BetterHelp offers similar services, with a growing knowledge of licensed mental health professionals.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is school the main cause of depression?
School is one of the main stressors for teenagers, especially those who may feel pressured to over-exert themselves academically. Additionally, many psychologists have found that the rating system that’s used for academic situations can have a detrimental impact on the way students feel about their school work. The social dynamics that are formed in High School can also lead to difficulty for students who may feel isolated from peers.
There are options outside the public and non-public school systems for parents looking to put their teens in more alternative programs. Charter schools and community schools have begun to increase in popularity for their more hands-on approaches to learning.
Does homework cause depression?
Homework can create stress, which is never helpful for someone with depression. Though many people would much rather go outside and enjoy the sunshine, some teens feel more affected by homework than others. Additionally, large amounts of assignments can make it difficult for teens to enjoy life outside of school.
For some children and teens, their annoyance with homework may go beyond just wanting to do other things. It’s possible they may struggle with a learning disability or attention disorder. These are just some of the kinds of disorders that can make sitting down and looking at homework from a classic perspective feel daunting, aggravating, and confusing.
Can depression make your grades drop?
When a student is experiencing depressive thoughts, it’s very likely that their grades may suffer. Mental illnesses can make it difficult to focus on things outside of the negative emotions that a person is experiencing at that time, and this can affect study habits, and how much a teen absorbs in their classes.
The difficulty in these cases is that if a student is made to feel guilty for not being able to complete their work, this could add to their depressive state. For a teen who is struggling, isolation is going to be the least effective way for them to manage their symptoms. Feeling misunderstood is a common sentiment among teens. For those that have a mental health disorder, that feeling can lead to dangerous territory.
What percentage of high school students suffer from depression?
Around 20-30% of teenagers will experience symptoms before they reach adulthood. Though depression used to be considered a disorder only for adults, it’s clear now that isn’t the case. The academic pressures of High School (and eventually getting into college) can weigh heavy on teens as they try to live out the last years of their childhood.
By continuing to teach high school students about mental health, how to communicate their feelings, and encouraging them to seek out support when it’s needed we can help teens to be better prepared for adulthood. Teens should be encouraged to balance out their academics with things they enjoy doing.
Like students, fresh graduates can also experience depression, which may be referred to as post-college depression. If you struggle with persistent feelings of sadness or lethargy or you think you might be depressed, consider reaching out to a therapist. Not only does it give you the opportunity to talk about how you feel in a safe environment, but you’ll also learn coping strategies to help you manage your symptoms.
How do schools deal with depression?
If you are a teen who experiences mental health concerns, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, in 2021, 37% of high school students reported poor mental health over the past year. Additionally, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 12% of children and adolescents aged 12 through 17 met the criteria for at least one major depressive episode during 2020. With this in mind, it’s important that schools and school staff do what they can for the children and teens who are their students.
School counselors and other staff, such as teachers, can support the mental health of their students, including those with mental health conditions like depression, in a variety of ways. These can include but aren’t limited to making it known that emotional support is available for students, talking about mental health in schools, and implementing anti-bullying initiatives. Positive social relationships, having a support system to turn to for emotional support, and professional care can all be advantageous for kids and teens who face depression. Research suggests that anti-bullying initiatives and talking about mental health in schools can both be advantageous for students.
Parents can also help kids and teens. Although the best approach can vary from child to child, parents may offer support, learn about warning signs, talk about mental health in the home, work to destigmatize mental health conditions and/or mental health treatment, and more. For the vast majority of parents, the ultimate goal they have for their kids is overall well-being, and this most certainly includes mental health. Parents can learn about mental health and mental illness themselves and may even benefit from support groups for parents of children who are facing mental health concerns in some cases.
How do teachers not cry?
Even if you don’t see a teacher cry in the classroom, it doesn’t mean that they don’t cry at all. Like anyone else, teachers need emotional support at times. This can include support from a mental health professional. If you are a teacher, remember that it is okay to ask for help and that it is important to care for yourself.
How can I hide my tears?
You don’t need to hide your tears or your feelings. Emotional repression can lead to serious mental and physical health implications ranging from an increase in depression symptoms and self-harming behaviors* to an increased risk of blood pressure, increased anger or irritability, and a heightened risk of substance abuse**. If you are a teen who is facing mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety symptoms, stress, challenges concerning interpersonal relationships, or something else, reach out to an adult you trust. This could refer to family, or it could be another adult, such as a school counselor. You deserve to be heard, and getting the care you need can help.
*If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or is otherwise in need of immediate support, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741 or reach the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
**If you or someone you know lives with a substance use disorder or might be, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The SAMHSA helpline is here to offer support, help individuals find treatment and more.
What percentage of the world is depressed?
Is depression a common thing?
Who mostly gets depression?
What age has the most depression?
What is the most common mental illness in students?
Why do more students get depressed?
Is depression harmless in students?
Is having depression a big deal?
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