Researchers estimate that 8-10% of students experience depression serious enough to require intervention.

Clinically depressed teens probably carry a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental risk factors.

Depression often masquerades as behavior problems, academic failure, truancy, drug abuse or eating disorders.

www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/
mental_health/depression.html

Kerns, Lawrence L., Lieberman,
Adrienne (1993). Helping your depressed child: a reassuring guide to the causes and treatments of childhood and adolescent depression. Roklen, CA: Prina Pub

www.nimh.org

It is important to distinguish a Major Depressive Episode from a Mood Disorder due to a General Medical Condition. When someone has 5 or more of the warning signs listed above, most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, seek professional advice from your teen's doctor or a licensed mental health professional. Depression slows and distorts information processing, and depressed teens often have difficulty understanding new concepts and solving problems, making learning in a classroom extremely difficult. Share your concerns with your teen's school counselor to determine the best ways to provide support to them at school to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed, or falling too far behind in school work.

Most depressions are normal, situational and self-limiting, but when it doesn't go away, seek professional help.