Depression in teens often presents differently than in adults, making it harder to recognize and diagnose early. Understanding the unique signs of teenage depression is in order to provide timely support and treatment.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 5.0 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 20.1% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17.  The prevalence of major depressive episodes was higher among adolescent females (29.2%) compared to males (11.5%).

However, according to a new research study, if there is early intervention, there is a better chance for positive long-term recovery for these teens.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from more than 35,000 young people, exploring how depression functions in teens as compared to adults. To reach their conclusions, scientists applied science to their hypothesis, specifically, physics— imploring how temperature affects the state of matter.

The researchers visualized depression symptoms as points on a web and measured a kind of “temperature” across it. A higher temperature indicated the symptoms were loosely connected and more flexible, while a lower temperature suggested they were tightly linked and more stable.

The researchers found that in younger teens, symptoms of depression—such as sadness, fatigue, or loss of interest—tend to be more fluid, coming and going unpredictably. This means they’re less likely to become entrenched, unlike in adults, where symptoms are more stable and connected, increasing the risk of long-term or chronic depression. Additionally, symptoms in boys tended to stabilize quicker than girls.

Neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez commented on the study in a recent interview stating that, this study “highlights the importance of addressing symptoms before they become fixed.”

“The idea that depressive symptoms are more flexible in teens makes sense, especially given the rapid brain development during adolescence,” she told SheKnows. “The researchers’ emphasis on puberty and hormonal changes as major influences on symptom variability is well-supported. A surprising and creative element was the use of network analysis and the concept of ‘network temperature’ from physics to describe mental health patterns. It was also compelling to see that boys’ symptoms seem to stabilize faster than girls’, which could impact how early interventions are designed.”

Dr. Hafeez continued, “… The finding that adult depression tends to be more rigid highlights the importance of addressing symptoms before they become fixed.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs of depression in teens can manifest in various emotional, behavioral, and physical ways. Some of these signs include:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest
• Irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Appetite changes
• Fatigue
• Physical complaints

Remember, early intervention is key to helping teens work through their depression. Getting them the help they need will aid in healthy development going forward.