Which signs of depression in adolescents may differ from adults?

• A. Irritability, academic decline, social withdrawal, changes in sleep/appetite, anhedonia, increased risk-taking; somatic complaints may be prominent.
• B. Only depressed mood is present in adolescents.
• C. Depression presents the same as in adults with a primary focus on sadness.
• D. Anxiety is the primary symptom, not mood.

Answer: (B)

Depression in adolescents often shows up with irritability and noticeable changes in behavior, not just a lingering sad mood. Along with irritability, you’ll frequently see academic decline, withdrawal from friends, loss of interest in activities (anhedonia), and shifts in sleep or appetite. Somatic complaints like headaches or stomachaches can be prominent, and some teens may engage in increased risk-taking or impulsive behaviors as a way to cope with distress or numbing. These patterns reflect how depression can present differently in youth compared to adults, where a more classic depressed mood and anhedonia are typically central. Recognizing that irritability, social withdrawal, and somatic symptoms can be key signs helps clinicians identify depression in teens earlier and differentiate it from adult presentations.