Teenage Depression

Up to 15% of American adolescents aged 12-17 report instances of teenage depression. In Colorado, that number is closer to 40%. Prompt treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and reduce the risk of mental health problems in adulthood. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, with offices in Boulder, Denver, and Westminster, Colorado, a team of mental health specialists provides care for teenage depression. After evaluating your child, they can make personalized treatment recommendations to help them feel better. Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule teenage depression treatment for your child, or book an appointment online today.

What is teenage depression?

Teenage depression is a mental health condition characterized by feelings of intense sadness and a loss of interest in activities. Though all teens experience a range of emotions, lasting unhappiness can indicate a more severe problem.

Read more about where Colorado ranks for mental health in our recent article. 

If your child isn’t acting like themselves, don’t wait to seek treatment. Outpatient mental health care can prevent more traumatic and expensive in-patient visits from occurring. Teenage depression isn’t about weakness or bad parenting. It’s a real medical condition and can be managed with counseling, healthy lifestyle changes, and prescription medication. 

What are the symptoms of teenage depression?

Teenage depression symptoms include:

• Feelings of sadness
• Crying spells
• Feeling hopeless or empty
• Loss of interest in pleasure
• Fixation on past failures
• Tiredness and loss of energy
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Slowed thinking
• Social isolation
• Self-harm

Many teens experience intense emotions, but you need to be able to tell the difference between depression and normal adolescent ups and downs. Talking with your teen is a great place to start. When you do, try to gauge whether they can handle these emotions or if they’re becoming overwhelmed.

When should my teen see a doctor for depression?

Make an appointment at Axis Integrated Mental Health if your teen’s symptoms continue for several weeks and affect their performance at school and other activities. If you have concerns about self-harm or suicide, immediately get your child help. Depression symptoms typically worsen without treatment. Quick intervention could save your child’s life.

Or, if you're unsure if it's time for professional help, our quick quiz can give you more guidance. 

What causes teenage depression?

Teen depression often develops from a mix of biological, social, and environmental factors. Stress at school, family conflict, social media pressures, and hormonal changes can all play a role in how teens feel and function day to day. Teenage depression occurs for various reasons, including:

• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental stressors (For example, academic and peer pressure)
• Trauma
• Social influences (For example, social rejection)
• Social media

Excessive screen time can also play a role. If your child spends hours on their computer, smartphone, or tablet, it can affect their sleep and increase their risk of low self-esteem.

As highlighted in our blog on the factors impacting teen mental health, these stressors can build up over time, sometimes leading to persistent sadness, withdrawal, or even risky behavior. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we help families recognize these warning signs early and provide comprehensive support through therapy, psychiatry, and advanced treatments when needed, so teens don’t have to struggle in silence.

How is teen depression treated?

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team treats teen depression using an integrative and holistic approach. Often, they suggest a combination of:

Therapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, involves your teen working one-on-one with a professional. The Axis Integrated Mental Health team offers several types of therapy to teens, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and family therapy.

During therapy, the counselor teaches your child to identify unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns and find healthy ways to cope and solve problems. These efforts can ease depression and help your teen regain a sense of happiness and control.

Prescription medication

Prescription medications, like antidepressants, treat chemical imbalances in the brain responsible for depression. To determine the best medication for your child, their provider may order genetic testing. The results of this test can help identify a drug that will benefit your child most, even if it’s off-label.

It may take some trial and error to find the medication that works best for your child, but when combined with psychotherapy, medication can provide lasting depression relief. In rare cases, the team may recommend ketamine infusion treatment.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the area of the brain responsible for mood control and depression. Activating this region may boost mood and ease your teen’s depression. Read our blog about TMS for Teenage Depression for more information.

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team also prescribes lifestyle changes, like regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting sufficient sleep. Furthermore, the practice offers support groups where teens can network with their peers.

Depending on the extent of your teen’s depression, Axis Integrated Mental Health may recommend an intensive outpatient program that utilizes the above or a partial hospitalization program. The team thoroughly discusses every treatment option to provide the best care for your child.

Book a Psychiatric Appointment Today!

Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule teen depression treatment for your child, or book an appointment online today. Also, we invite you to check out our caregiver resource page to get more ideas and tips for caring for someone experiencing depression.

Or download our free guide on how to support someone with depression. 

FAQs

Q: How can I tell if my teen might be depressed?
A: Warning signs include persistent sadness, withdrawal from friends or activities, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, falling grades, or talk of hopelessness. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, it’s time to seek help.

Q: What factors increase the risk of depression in teens?
A: Academic stress, bullying, family conflict, social media pressure, trauma, and major life changes can all play a role. Teens with a family history of depression or anxiety are at higher risk.

Q: How is teenage depression treated?
A: Treatment often includes therapy (like CBT or DBT for teens), family counseling, and sometimes medication when appropriate. At Axis, we also screen for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or ADHD to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Q: Is medication safe for teens with depression?
A: Certain antidepressants are FDA-approved for adolescents, and they can be safe when closely monitored by a psychiatric provider. Decisions are always made together with the teen, their family, and the clinician.

Q: Can advanced treatments like TMS or Spravato® help teens?
A: TMS currently FDA-approved for children 15 years and older but is typically not covered by insurance. Spravato is only approved for anyone over 18.

Q: How can parents support a teen with depression?
A: Start by listening without judgment, keeping open communication, and reducing stigma around mental health. Encourage healthy routines like sleep, exercise, and balanced meals. Don't hesitate to partner with professionals who can guide both you and your teen through treatment. Finally, don't blame yourself. 40% of Colorado youth are experiencing depression. We can't all be bad parents.