What are the symptoms of depression in adolescents?
Nov 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Symptoms of depression in adolescents can generally be observed through persistent low mood, declining academic performance, reduced interest in social activities, abnormal behavior patterns, and negative self-perception. They often appear unhappy, lose interest in games, sports, or social activities they once enjoyed, become easily tearful, irritable, or prone to outbursts over minor issues, and experience frequent mood swings that are difficult to regulate on their own.
Signs and symptoms of depression in adolescents can generally be observed through persistent low mood, declining academic performance, reduced social engagement, abnormal behavior patterns, and negative self-perception. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Persistent low mood: Frequently appearing sad or unhappy, losing interest in previously enjoyed games, sports, or social activities. Easily becoming tearful, irritable, or angry over minor issues, with frequent emotional fluctuations that are difficult to regulate. Remaining in a prolonged state of pessimism and helplessness.
2. Declining academic performance: Difficulty concentrating, frequently zoning out or daydreaming during class, procrastinating on or refusing to complete homework. Noticeable and persistent drop in grades, loss of motivation toward studying, developing aversion to school, and avoiding attending classes or participating in classroom interactions.
3. Reduced social interest: Actively distancing from peers and friends, refusing to participate in group activities, unwillingness to communicate with family members, preferring to stay alone in their room, avoiding eye contact with others. Relationships gradually become strained, and they are reluctant to share inner thoughts and feelings.
4. Abnormal behavior patterns: Significant sleep disturbances such as insomnia, late-night waking, or excessive sleeping; eating behaviors may include binge eating or loss of appetite, leading to noticeable weight changes within a short period. Some may develop repetitive habits like nail-biting or skin-picking, or engage in truancy and lying.
5. Negative self-perception: Excessive focus on personal shortcomings related to appearance, academic performance, or personality, leading to intense feelings of inferiority. Frequent self-criticism and belief in being worthless, even expressing thoughts such as "life is meaningless," with little confidence or hope for the future.
If an adolescent exhibits several of the above symptoms continuously for more than two weeks, it is important to initiate patient communication, offering understanding and support, while avoiding blame or neglect.
