Depression Test for Teenagers

"... Depression is not sobbing and crying and giving vent, it is plain and simple reduction of feeling... People who keep stiff upper lips find that it's damn hard to smile." ~ Judith Guest

The world has gone demanding, and the stress and pressure is easily visible in our daily lifestyle! With people taking 2-3 jobs in a day, they hardly get some time to spend with their kids, especially in the tender phase of teenage. The reason why I call teenage as a tender phase of life is obvious! This is the time when kids are exposed to things like drugs, sex, relationships, pressure of studies, conflicts with friends and parents... and the list goes on and on. This is why teenagers are more likely to get into depression. As per statistics, one in eight teenager suffers from depression out of which 30% develop a substance abuse problem. A depression test is therefore very important. You need to observe the behavioral pattern of the teen and take a test yourself! However, the test will prove to be more beneficial if the depressed teen answers the test honestly himself/herself!

Depression Quiz for Teenagers

There might be a possibility that the teenager is casually stressed out and depressed. A situation like this demands a confirmed test that can help you determine whether or not your teenage kid is suffering from psychotic depression symptoms. Take the following quiz to find out if your kid has the symptoms of depression.

Does your teenage son/daughter remain persistently sad and irritated?

Have you noticed a change in your teenage son/daughter's appetite or body weight?

Does your teenage son/daughter talk about suicide or death?

Does your teenage son/daughter feel worthless or show feelings of an inappropriate guilt?

Does your teenage son/daughter lack interest in performing the activities he/she once enjoyed?

Does your teenage son/daughter experience problem in falling asleep?

Does your teenage son/daughter hardly communicates these days and prefers to stay in isolation?

Does your teenage son/daughter remains restless all the time and can't stay still?

Does your teenage son/daughter gets tired without any reason?

Does your teenage son/daughter reacts by shouting, complaining and crying for unexplained reasons?

Does your teenage son/daughter experience crying spells?

Does your teenage son/daughter tend to wake up early in the morning and have difficulty going back to sleep?

Does your teenage son/daughter have lost interest in everything?

Does your teenage son/daughter avoid going to school or anywhere out of the house?

Does your teenage son/daughter have started performing poorly in school?

Does your teenage son/daughter tend to get panicky or frightened without any reason?

Does your teenage son/daughter talks of running away from home?

Does your teenage son/daughter complaints that no one understands him/her and that he/she is better off alone?

Does your teenage son/daughter show lack of energy and enthusiasm?

Does your teenage son/daughter often apologizes to you or other close family members without any reason?

Once you have checked the boxes above, just count the number of tick marks that show. If the number is 5 or more, that means that the teenager is suffering from depression. Once you have the results of the depression test, you should immediately consult a psychologist to get a test for maniac depression done. Depression may range from a mild one to a severe one. However, even the lowest depression symptoms can be a beginning for a severe mental and physical disorder. As I already mentioned earlier, teenage is a very sensitive phase wherein the mind of the kid is still delicate and sensitive. Therefore, special care and attention should be given to the depressed teenager. If the score for the above test is more than 10, then a clinical depression test is advised.

Remember, the behavioral pattern mentioned in the quiz should be visible for at least a week or two. Dealing with a depressed teen can be a bit of a challenge, even the slightest loss of patience and temper may have an adverse impact on the situation. As it is, a depressed teen has the tendency of getting irritated easily. Our concern may seem as interference and nagging to them. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a fine line between nagging and showing concern. So make sure you make your child feel loved and make him/her realize how important he/she is to you! Assure him/her that no situation is big enough to go into depression and that your love and support will be present with them under any situation. Love is all it takes to conquer all problems.