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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 Vickvi, The problems you are describing with your health and mental health can't be diagnosed over the Internet. You really need to see your family physician to get a correct diagnosis. At the very least, speak to a counselor at school or the school nurse about your health problems. They are qualified to help you get the attention you need in this matter.

If you are in a crisis, please call the Depression Help Line - 1-800-255-8336.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

OK well i hope this isnt tooo long! :/ -I tire easily at the weirdest times: When i get my backpack for school, i have to put up some strength even though it hasnt gained anymore weight than usual.Thaz not usual for me im rather strong for my age and ?? its like i just lifted a ton of bricks and i have to suck in my breath to get it up on my back. -I get really sore easliy, like i was really sore in one muscle part of my back and i did nothign to it im a ware of. -im not my usual personality like i am acting really realy weird sometimes like whole different way of thinking. Im sorry its hard to explain. -I acually have been getting MORE sleep than usual, like 1/2 at LEAST somtimes an hour. -I will have trouble almost BREATHING like when i call my puppy i use a very high pitched voice and do it all the time b4 but now i feel exhausted every time afterwards. and other times like i ran the marathin and just gave a speech. And all i did was call his name! -I lost almost all appetite. At dinner and brekfast, i wont be hungry and when im forced to eat, the food tastes like nothing. At lunch i wil feel hungry but wont want to eat just seeingthe food ill lose my appettie.. -I have very very sudden mood swings. Really, its rediculous. One sec i will be angry, then happy, a few mins l8ter, i will be sad!! and feel like im ussless and dont matter and get very depressed. That almost happens mostly after and b4 school. During school i will be sad but majorly at home after i dont ave any of my peers to tlk to. This is alomost the most major things. -I have a LOT harder time concerentrating, and foucusing. I lost ambition and stuff. -If it makes a difference, im in middle school. CHANGES RECENTLY: im trying to be thourgh so people can help me as much as possible sorry. -Ok wel this has started i would say this past monday -On tuesday i started walking to school. Uphill to school and downhill after school back home. IDK if this makes a diff but oh well. :) -Ive discovered very starlting things this week like finding out one of my firends is gay, and another is moving. -Oh and its not time or my peroid, im right in the middle of the month of it supposed to be ...ing, like at least another 2 or 3 weeks. And ive NEVER been like this b4, not like this at all. -I think this sounds if as though im depressed, but do depressed poeple also be happy at least a 1/4 to 1/3 as much sad? thaz wat gets me: I still am happy part of the time. I was wondering maybe bipolar, but idthink that the above applies to that completely either. -Idk i dont really have anyone i would feel comfortable tlking too. Please address as much of this as u can. thankyou soo much in adviance! 4 hours ago - 1 week left to answer. Additional Details Oh yeah sometimes, ranodomllyi will feel like im gonna trowup, but not nesseacirlly nausious. Like when i get really exhuasted like i mentioned two times above. after then. (ie calling my puppy) i ahve in no way been abused or tramatized. I have absolutly NO clue as to wat to do!! Im a wrek often.

-- Contributed by: Vickvi

Girl with problem,

You have so many reasons for why you are feeling the way you are. You really do need to find a therapist that you click with so you can talk about all of your thoughts and feelings as well as get some medication for your possible depression/bipolar disorder. It is completely possible for you to have one of these because it runs in your family. Your grandparents are most likely in denial about it and don't want to see you suffering with it, however, you are and that means you need help. With medication, you can finally feel better about yourself and with some talk therapy, feel better about your situation in life. You've been dealt a difficult hand in life but you can rise above it and turn it around. You just need to take steps to do that. It is also important that you take action because of your flighting thoughts of suicide. It may not be too strong now but it could get to be bad over time.

My suggestion is to try again finding a therapist. I understand that you've seen four with no help, but you need to keep searching for someone who fits your personality and who will understand you.

You can also use a depression hotline if you are in crisis - 1-800-255-8336.

Just know that there is help for you and that life is not hopeless. Take one day at a time and you will find true happiness one day.

-- Contributed by: Marcelina Hardy
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