Ups and downs
in puberty
However, beware: Not every bad mood is immediately a depression. It is completely normal to be in a good mood one day and in a really bad mood the next.
Behaviours such as irritability, defiance, withdrawal from others and dissatisfaction are also part of life and are perfectly normal, especially during puberty. They even belong to what we understand under “normal development.” So, not every phase of bad mood is immediately a depression.
It is important to distinguish between normal mood swings, as we all have them, and depression. The difficult thing is that there is not only one depression. It can have many faces and progresses differently. However, in principle, the following applies: Only when the symptoms persist for several weeks at a time should the possibility of a depression be considered.
- Depressive, sad or irritable mood over an unusually long time period; these feelings are particularly intense.
- Having lost the desire to play games or do sports. There is simply no interest anymore.
- (Frequent) crying for no apparent reason.
- Your inner drive seems to be gone. That means there is a lack of energy, which is why tiredness sets in quickly.
- Despite the tiredness, you have problems falling asleep and wake up more often at night. But, sometimes, there is a particularly high demand for sleep and no desire to do anything else.
- Very pronounced and frequent boredom, which does not change even during activities that have normally put you in a good mood.
- Self-confidence suffers; it decreases. This can even lead to withdrawal; passivity increases.
- Feelings of guilt or self-reproach are particularly strong, but also unfounded.
- No appetite, but sometimes considerably increased or even "too much" appetite.
- In severe cases also thoughts about death, suicide intentions or attempts.
- Physical complaints, the most common being stomachaches and headaches.
In adults, the symptoms are similar, despite there being a difference: In children and adolescents, physical complaints are more often in the foreground. The most common symptom is unusual tiredness during the day. Another clear sign is recurring abdominal pain or headaches. Moreover, the likelihood of developing headaches rather than abdominal pain increases with age.
The overview here shows that there are more or less clear signs of depression.
It is important to act early, but also to understand that not every mood fluctuation is immediately a depression. It is completely normal to be really annoyed for a week. However, your mood should soon improve again. If it doesn’t: Better take another look at the do-it-yourself checklist
