Symptoms:
Severe Changes
Using Drugs or Alcohol
- Many teenagers try to “self-medicate” because of how they feel by using drugs or alcohol
- It is an attempt to feel differently, even if it’s for a short amount of time
- In the long term, the use of drugs or alcohol does not work and can make the depression worse
- An escalating or new use of substances should trigger an evaluation of underlying Major Depression
Learn about treating addiction
Recurrent Thoughts of Death or Suicide
- Comes from a false belief that the suffering teen has no future and cannot contribute to the world
- The most severe symptom of depression and needs immediate attention
- Should be considered an emergency