Adolescent Anger:
Could it be Depression?

When an adolescent child starts acting out or exhibiting anger, many parents are quick to conclude that it’s normal teen behavior kicking in. Maybe yes, but maybe no! It can be difficult to tell. While teenagers can be stereotypically difficult—reckless, sulky, and emotionally volatile—being angry most of the time is not something to dismiss. For certain teens, anger can be a symptom of depression.

Understanding Adolescent Anger

During the transition to adulthood, children experience a lot of changes that may confuse or frighten them. They also have many stresses to contend with during this time in their lives, like peer pressure, teen relationships, academics, stresses at home, and more. All this can be overwhelming, leading them to behave in unpredictable ways, such as expressing a great deal of anger.

Anger can mean many things. It can be an intense response to you and your parenting style. It can be a sign of emotions they can’t understand. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it can also be a sign of depression. Distressing thoughts about new challenges and other fears (some from childhood) can combine and result in symptoms of depression.

Is This Your Adolescent Child?

Constant anger, hostility, and irritability are just a few of the many signs of teen depression. If your adolescent child is experiencing depression, they may also exhibit some of the following symptoms:

  • Unexplained sadness that may be reflected in their choice of clothes, music, etc.
  • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and/or helplessness
  • Loss of interest in things that used to appeal to them
  • Boredom, lack of motivation, and lethargy
  • Missing classes and poor academic performance
  • Lack of interest in interacting and communicating with people, even family and friends
  • Constant guilt, low self-esteem, and heightened sensitivity to rejection and failure
  • Physical pain and/or other physical symptoms without medical cause
  • Sleep and eating problems
  • Inability to focus
  • Risky behaviors—self-harm, running away from home, substance abuse etc. 

What to Do to Help Your Teen

Helping adolescents is not easy. They may push back and be hostile because they are confused, sad, and overwhelmed. To prepare them to become responsible adults, it can be beneficial to encourage them, rather than push them.

This is very challenging, but it can be easier with help from Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC. You can step back a bit as your teenager works with their therapists to address their symptoms and learn healthier ways to cope. Call CCS today to get started.

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