While they may look like adults on the exterior, the truth is that their brains have not yet reached that stage by the teen years. These are the years for significant growth. There is a way to go before their brains catch up to those of their adults.

Navigating high school is hard enough on its own. You’re transitioning from leaving your youth and becoming an adult. You’re working to earn good grades, plan your future, and maintain social connections.

Depression symptom presentation can look different in teens than what you might see with adults. It’s also unfortunately complicated to pinpoint for the fact that those years come with such a wide range of developmental milestones and changes. 

The teenage years can be tough. They’re mentally expanding through a much more rigorous academic path. They are growing physically. But more importantly, they are developing emotionally.