Do I Have Depression? (For Teens)

Find out if you experience symptoms of depression.

Depression is more than just sadness: it’s a mental condition that can affect anyone of any age or background. It causes long-lasting feelings of sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness that seep into your thoughts and affect your behavior.

If you’ve noticed a dip in your mood that just won’t go away, it’s possible that depression (or clinical depression, as it’s also called) could be the culprit. This quiz will teach you about common symptoms of depression so you can compare them to what you’re experiencing. We can’t offer a diagnosis, but we can give you an idea of what you could be dealing with—and give you tips on how to start feeling better.

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Questions Overview

1. Have you found yourself having less fun lately? Maybe you feel disconnected from activities that used to make you happy (like hanging out with friends, for example).
  1. Pretty much every day.
  2. Definitely over half of the days.
  3. Less than half of the days.
  4. Not at all, honestly.
2. How often have you felt down, sad, or like there’s no hope (in life, or about a part of your life) over the last few weeks?
  1. I haven’t felt like that.
  2. I felt like that for a few days.
  3. I felt like that for over half the days.
  4. I felt like that just about every day.
3. How often have you felt tired or low on energy over the last few weeks? You might feel sleepy throughout the day or like doing nothing, for example.
  1. Not at all.
  2. A few times.
  3. Many times.
  4. Nearly every day.
4. Have you had a poor appetite over the last few weeks—or, on the other hand, have you repeatedly eaten more than usual?
  1. Nope, not that I know of.
  2. A couple of times, yes.
  3. Several different times.
  4. Almost every day.
5. Would you say you’re more likely to want to be alone than with your friends or family?
  1. That’s me all the time.
  2. It happens often.
  3. From time to time.
  4. Definitely not.
6. Have you had any trouble falling asleep, staying asleep—or sleeping too much?
  1. No, that doesn’t apply to me.
  2. It happens a little bit.
  3. It happens pretty often.
  4. It happens all the time.
7. How often have you felt bad about yourself or like you’re a failure in the last few weeks?
  1. Not at all.
  2. A few times - less than half of the days.
  3. Several times - more than half of the days.
  4. All the time - nearly every day.
8. Do you have any trouble concentrating on everyday things (like homework, books, or TV)?
  1. All the time, for sure.
  2. Sometimes, yes.
  3. I think so.
  4. Nope, definitely not.
9. Have you felt more frustrated or irritable than usual lately, even if you used to be a happy or easygoing person most of the time?
  1. No, I feel pretty normal.
  2. I’ve been irritable a couple of times.
  3. I get irritable several times a week.
  4. I feel grouchy and irritable all the time.
10. Have you noticed yourself withdrawing or skipping activities you used to enjoy, like sports or favorite classes?
  1. No, everything has been normal.
  2. It’s happened once or twice.
  3. It happens several times a week.
  4. It happens every day.
11. Navigating your emotions when you’re feeling bad can be so hard. Looking back, have you thought at all about hurting yourself in an attempt to deal with emotional pain?
  1. Yes, constantly.
  2. Yes, on more than half the days.
  3. Sometimes, on less than half the days.
  4. No, I haven’t.
12. Finally, think back over the past year. Did you feel depressed for the majority of it, even if you had okay days, too?
  1. No, I didn’t feel like that.
  2. I felt down sometimes, but not the majority of the year.
  3. Yes, I felt depressed for most of the year.

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Depression is a mental health condition affecting the way you think, feel, and act\u2014and most significantly, it can change your mood. Depression causes sudden, lasting feelings of sadness and irritability, even if there\u2019s no real reason for it. It can also make you feel you don\u2019t have much energy, lose interest in things that usually make you feel happy, and isolate yourself instead of spending time with your friends. It may even make you feel like things are hopeless or cause you to consider self-harm.

Fortunately, most of those issues don\u2019t seem to apply to you. That\u2019s good! Everyone has bad days, fears, doubts, and struggles, but depression is a noticeable pattern of feelings and behavior. If you feel good and haven\u2019t noticed a consistent dip in your mood, energy, or motivation, it\u2019s less likely that you have a condition like depression.

For now, it sounds like you\u2019re on the same emotional wavelength you usually are, so hang in there! Nonetheless, if you do have feelings of depression that last for more than two weeks, you should always seek a proper diagnosis from a medical provider.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Deal with Depression","id":5137,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Deal-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Depression"},{"title":"How to Help a Depressed Friend","id":111135,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Help a Depressed Friend"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You may have mild symptoms of depression.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it unfortunately seems like you could be experiencing some mild or minor symptoms of depression. First things first: you\u2019re not alone, and depression is absolutely something you can manage and cope with\u2014especially with help. The first step to managing something like depression is understanding it, and by exploring your mental health in this quiz, you\u2019re already taking action. You\u2019re doing great so far!

Depression is a mental health condition affecting the way you think, feel, and act\u2014and most significantly, it can change your mood. Depression causes sudden, lasting feelings of sadness and irritability, even if there\u2019s no real reason for it. It can also make you feel you don\u2019t have much energy, lose interest in things that usually make you feel happy, and isolate yourself instead of spending time with your friends. It may even make you feel like things are hopeless or cause you to consider self-harm.

If any of those symptoms describe how you\u2019re feeling, even to a minor degree, we encourage you to get a proper diagnosis from a medical provider. It\u2019s not always easy to talk about something like depression, especially to a doctor or your parents, but we believe you can do it!

We\u2019re proud of you for coming this far already, and the sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can treat it. Prioritizing your mental health is so important, and you deserve to feel better. If you have suicidal thoughts or feelings, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or find a helpline outside the U.S. using Find A Helpline<\/a>.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Deal with Depression","id":5137,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Deal-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Depression"},{"title":"How to Help a Depressed Friend","id":111135,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Help a Depressed Friend"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You may have moderate symptoms of depression.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it unfortunately seems like you could be experiencing symptoms of moderate depression. We\u2019re sorry to hear you\u2019re feeling this way, and it\u2019s important to know that you\u2019re not alone. Depression is absolutely something you can manage and cope with\u2014especially with help. Understanding something like depression can help you manage it, and by exploring your mental health in this quiz, you\u2019re already taking action. Keep it up!

Depression is a mental health condition affecting the way you think, feel, and act\u2014and most significantly, it can change your mood. Depression causes sudden, lasting feelings of sadness and irritability, even if there\u2019s no real reason for it. It can also make you feel you don\u2019t have much energy, lose interest in things that usually make you feel happy, and isolate yourself instead of spending time with your friends. It may even make you feel like things are hopeless or cause you to consider self-harm.

If any of those symptoms describe how you\u2019ve been feeling, especially for long periods of time, we strongly encourage you to get help and a proper diagnosis from a medical provider. It\u2019s not always easy to talk about something like depression, especially to a doctor or your parents, but we believe you can do it!

We\u2019re proud of you for coming this far already, and the sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can treat it. Prioritizing your mental health is so important, and you deserve to feel better. Please hang in there, and if you have suicidal thoughts or feelings, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or find a helpline outside the U.S. using Find A Helpline<\/a>.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Deal with Depression","id":5137,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Deal-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Depression"},{"title":"How to Help a Depressed Friend","id":111135,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Help a Depressed Friend"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":4,"text":"You may have severe symptoms of depression.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it unfortunately seems like you could be experiencing severe symptoms of depression. We\u2019re so sorry to hear you\u2019re feeling this way and want you to know that you\u2019re not alone. Depression is absolutely something you can manage and cope with, especially with help. Furthermore, understanding depression can help you manage it\u2014and by exploring your mental health with this quiz, you\u2019re already taking action. That\u2019s amazing!

Depression is a mental health condition affecting the way you think, feel, and act\u2014and most significantly, it can change your mood. Depression causes sudden, lasting feelings of sadness and irritability, even if there\u2019s no real reason for it. It can also make you feel you don\u2019t have much energy, lose interest in things that usually make you feel happy, and isolate yourself instead of spending time with your friends. It may even make you feel like things are hopeless or cause you to consider self-harm.

If those symptoms describe how you\u2019ve been feeling, especially for long periods of time, we strongly encourage you to get help and a proper diagnosis from a medical provider. It\u2019s not always easy to talk about something like depression, especially to a doctor or your parents, but we believe you can do it!

We\u2019re proud of you for coming this far already, and the sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can treat it. Prioritizing your mental health is so important, and you deserve to feel better. Please hang in there, and if you have suicidal thoughts or feelings, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or find a helpline outside the U.S. using Find A Helpline<\/a>.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Deal with Depression","id":5137,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Deal-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Cope-with-Depression-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Depression"},{"title":"How to Help a Depressed Friend","id":111135,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","relUrl":"\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Help-a-Friend-with-Depression-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Help a Depressed Friend"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Mental<\/picture>","alt":"Mental Health Quiz"},{"title":"Do I Need Therapy Quiz","id":14632650,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Do-I-Need-Therapy","relUrl":"\/Do-I-Need-Therapy","image":"\"Do<\/picture>","alt":"Do I Need Therapy Quiz"},{"title":"How Happy Am I Quiz","id":14472310,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Are-You-Happy","relUrl":"\/Are-You-Happy","image":"\"Are<\/picture>","alt":"How Happy Am I Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"I want to explore my personality and the way I think.","result":"Sure! Check out these mental and personality quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Type of Person Am I Quiz","id":13974160,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Type-of-Person-Am-I","relUrl":"\/What-Type-of-Person-Am-I","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Type of Person Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Cognitive Test","id":14664432,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Cognitive-Test","relUrl":"\/Cognitive-Test","image":"\"Cognitive<\/picture>","alt":"Cognitive Test"},{"title":"Right Brain vs Left Brain Test","id":13844549,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Right-Brain-vs-Left-Brain-Test","relUrl":"\/Right-Brain-vs-Left-Brain-Test","image":"\"Right<\/picture>","alt":"Right Brain vs Left Brain Test"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

More About Depression in Teens

What is depression?
The first thing you need to know is that depression is a valid condition and nothing to be ashamed of. If it affects you, you’re definitely not alone; an estimated 280 million people worldwide have it in some form (according to the World Health Organization). [1] It’s a very common mental disorder that causes mood changes, particularly feelings of sadness or fatigue, along with loss of interest or enjoyment for long periods.

Common signs of depression, particularly in teenagers, include:

  • Feeling easily annoyed
  • Having trouble concentrating and making decisions
  • Having issues in school
  • Isolating oneself from friends or loved ones
  • Feeling lonely all the time
  • Acting withdrawn and avoiding activities that used to bring joy
  • Feeling listless, fatigued, or lazy
  • Feeling hopeless or like a failure
  • Having low self-esteem and thinking negative thoughts about oneself
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Changes in appetite, like undereating or overeating
  • Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide

Remember, there’s a difference between normal feelings like sadness and a mental condition like depression. Everyone feels sad sometimes, but sadness isn’t something that lasts for long periods. Depression, on the other hand, is a long-term mental health condition that can last for weeks, months, or more and fundamentally change the way you think and feel.


How to Get Help for Depression

See a psychiatrist or doctor. While taking quizzes like this one can help you recognize what you’re feeling and notice if you’re experiencing specific symptoms, only a medical professional can give you a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. So, be sure to see your doctor or a psychiatrist; they can evaluate your symptoms and figure out what to do next.

Visit a therapist. Therapy can be a huge help in managing depression; therapists are trained to help you safely explore your emotions and mental health struggles. They can also give you tools to improve your mental health and manage your depression. There are several different kinds of therapy that can be used to effectively treat depression, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and supportive therapy.

Talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about medication. Medication can also help alleviate certain symptoms of depression; your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for extra support (sometimes in combination with therapy, if possible). If you’re given medication, be sure to take it as prescribed. Common medications used to treat depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).


How to Take Care of Yourself with Depression

It’s important to practice self-care, especially when you’re dealing with a condition like depression. Take it easy and be gentle with yourself! Do things that are good for you, even if you don’t always feel like doing them; ultimately, it can really help. Self-care can include:

  • Getting regular and healthy meals every day
  • Going to bed and waking up around the same time
  • Spending time with people and confiding in the ones you trust
  • Doing activities and hobbies you used to enjoy
  • Getting physical activity—even just 30 minutes of light activity per day
  • Doing what you can (without pushing yourself too much)

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

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    Mar 12

    "This quiz was pretty helpful; it was detailed, and I think the answer I got made sense."
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