Depression Quiz for Teens

From LoveToKnow Teens

Find out if your sadness is more than just the blues with our Love to Know depression quiz for teens. Being depressed for long periods of time can be a sign of something more serious.

Sad teen girl.
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What Is Clinical Depression?

When you feel depressed, you have what some people call the blues. It can last several days but then you begin to feel better. However, when you are depressed for more than several days with no end in sight, it is a sign of clinical depression. Clinical depression, or long-term depression, needs to be diagnosed and treated by a physician. Treatment may include therapy, medication or a combination of the two. Take our depression quiz for teens below to find out if you are suffering from more than the blues and need help.

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Depression Quiz for Teens

The following depression quiz for teens is designed to help you identify signs of long-term depression.

  1. Are you able to sleep through the night?
  2. Have you gained or lost weight recently, but not by dieting?
  3. Have your grades gone down since the last grading period?
  4. Do you feel irritable?
  5. Do you feel worthless or insignificant?
  6. Is it difficult for you to concentrate on your schoolwork?
  7. Have you quit enjoying things that used to bring you pleasure?
  8. Do you feel angry or anxious but don't know why?
  9. Do you feel tired all of the time?
  10. Have you started or increased use of drugs or alcohol?
  11. Do you entertain thoughts of suicide?

If you answered "yes" to two or more of these depression quiz for teens questions, you need to talk to your parent or a trusted adult for help. Depression can lead to serious consequences, especially if you are thinking about suicide. If you feel you have no one to talk to about your thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-784-2433. They have counselors available to speak with you 24/7.

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Causes of Depression

There are many causes of depression, from troubles with your family to things that go on in school or at your job. Depression may also be caused by other factors that most people never think about. Things that can cause depression include:

  • Traumatic experiences that may have occurred when you were young. Typical depression triggers include abuse and incest, especially when the offender denies it ever happened.
  • The death of a loved one, divorce or breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend can cause deep feelings of loss.
  • Hormone or physical changes
  • Vitamin deficiencies
  • Stress or results of Peer Pressure
  • Allergies to milk, wheat and sugar
  • Genetic predisposition; a close relative has been diagnosed with clinical depression
  • Substance abuse can cause changes in the chemistry of your brain
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Treatments for Depression

There are many treatments for depression including various therapies and medications. Since everyone is different, each patient is treated individually. Your physician will determine which treatment is best for you. Some forms of treatment include the following:

  • Cognitive behavior therapy helps individuals suffering from depression by teaching them to change their negative thought process.
  • Group or family therapy helps individuals cope with depression by talking with others who share similar problems.
  • Exercise
  • Medication
  • Volunteer work where you can focus on helping other people through a difficult time
  • Hospitalization
  • Special schools or boot camps for troubled teens with similar problems
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Conclusion

If you feel that you need help after taking the depression quiz for teens, contact a trusted friend or relative who will listen and get you the help you need. A school nurse, counselor, teacher or your parents are good choices when seeking assistance. Don't wait to get help, especially if you are having suicidal thoughts or thinking of hurting someone else.

Don't be afraid to get help. The treatment programs can be as interactive or private as you feel comfortable with. No physician or counselor will add stress to your situation by making you do something you are uncomfortable with. Your depression may be related to something as simple as your diet, but you won't know if you don't ask for help.

Talk to someone about your feelings. You don't have to go it alone. There are counselors that have been through the same things you are going through and they would love to help you out. Many crisis centers are available just to talk, and you won't have to give out your name unless you want to. Take control of your depression before it takes control of you..

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Comments

Hi Jaimee,

You have been through so much in your life already. Your feelings are real and important. Your sister may not be reacting to you because she doesn't understand depression (many people don't) and because she cares about you and secretly hopes that you don't have it.

What you need to do is get help for yourself. Don't let your sister prevent you from finding someone else who will listen and care for you. If you can't talk to your mom, talk to a school guidance counselor or another trust adult. You can also call a depression hotline to find support: 1-800-355-8336

Good luck to you...and remember, you don't have to go on feeling this way!

-- Contributed by: Marcelina Hardy

Hi. I have taken many quizzes online (like approximately 10) and all of them say I suffer from severe depression. I feel it too tho. I tried to tell my sister and she's just passed it off and said I was fine. But honestly, I don't think I am. I fall asleep after I get home from school and then I would be waken up for supper and then I could fall asleep again at 8 and sleep all the way through the night. I personally think I also have very low self esteem. People say oh you aren't fat, but it's stuck in my brain. When I was in 3rd grade (now in 8th) and my Dad "touched" me in an awkward way and I told my Mom and we went through this whole law case, but it didn't go to the "big" court people for a hearing. And I mean I didn't mind it because I still loved my Dad and I didn't want him to get in trouble. But in that same year I choked on meat and stopped eating meat and almost everything else. My mom didn't notice at first, but once I started getting mysterious bruises on my body she had to take me to the doctor. And it was a long and very hard process. but I got through it. But it always makes me feel bad because of what my mom was put through. But I answered yes to questions 2-10. And if my sister wouldn't listen, how can I expect anyone else to. I need help.

-- Contributed by: Jaimee

Arianne,

You need to get help right now. Whenever you feel like suicide is the only way out of a situation, you need to talk to someone and get help. If you don't have a trusted adult around you (such as a school counselor or your parents), you can call a depression hotline such as this one: 1800-448-3000. Don't ever feel like you aren't worthy of feeling depressed or get help. Depression isn't always a consequence of what happens in your life, it's a chemical imbalance in your brain (completely beyond your control). What you can control is getting treatment by talking to someone and if needed, medication. Your first step is to talk to someone right now. Good luck to you.

-- Contributed by: Marcelina Hardy
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