Normal teenage blues, or depression? Recognizing the signs and symptoms.

For parents, some symptoms associated with teenage depression can look like normal angst or lack of motivation. In fact, up until about two decades ago, it was thought that depression was primarily an adult disorder that rarely affected children or teens. Any symptoms displayed were put down to "a phase," moodiness, over-dramatization, or self-indulgence.

Now we know much better. Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects about two per cent of BC children and adolescents every year. The good news is that it is also highly treatable, especially if recognized early.

As parents, how do you tell whether your child or teen is experiencing normal sadness or if they are suffering from depression? It’s a common question.

That’s why, as a part of a project of the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative, Dr David Smith has written a series of columns to help youth and families recognize the symptoms of depression and other common health concerns for children and teens.

Dr. David Smith is an adolescent and adult psychiatrist and the Medical Director of the Okanagan Psychiatric services for Interior Health. In these articles he also offers some advice on successful skills, actions and treatments, as well as where to access resources and seek help.

To read the articles and find out more about this partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of health, please click here.