The teen years can be rough and disorienting. Puberty, social media, school stress, it can all be a lot to process — a lot more than many parents might even realize. In fact, over 17 percent of teens have reported experiencing symptoms of depression, per KFF.
But a new study suggests that if teen depression is caught and treated early, there’s a better chance it won’t become a long-term issue.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from more than 35,000 young people to explore how depression operates in teens compared to adults. To do this, they applied an intriguing concept borrowed from physics — specifically, how temperature affects the state of matter.
The researchers imagined the different symptoms of depression as points in a web and calculated a kind of “temperature” for this web. Higher temperatures meant the symptoms were less connected and more flexible, while lower temperatures indicated that the symptoms were tightly linked and more stable.
They found that in younger teens, symptoms of depression — like sadness, low energy, or a lack of interest in things — tend to shift more frequently, come and go, and are less predictable. In other words, they’re less likely to get stuck. In contrast, adult symptoms become more fixed and stable, making them more likely to persist and develop into long-term or chronic depression.
Another key insight from the study: boys’ symptoms tend to stabilize more quickly than girls’, leaving less time for risk or protective factors to influence their trajectory. In contrast, symptoms in teenage girls continue to fluctuate for a longer period.
Overall, this flexibility in teen depression, according to researchers, may be influenced by hormonal changes during puberty, ongoing brain development, and environmental or social factors — like school stress, friendships, and family dynamics — which are often at the heart of teen emotional struggles.
In short: Teen depression isn’t just an earlier version of adult depression — it behaves differently. And that’s actually good news. It means there is a better chance of helping young people recover before depression becomes deeply ingrained.
Neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez said the study’s results stood out because it supports something often seen in clinical practice which is that early intervention truly matters.
“The idea that depressive symptoms are more flexible in teens makes sense, especially given the rapid brain development during adolescence,” she tells SheKnows. “The researchers’ emphasis on puberty and hormonal changes as major influences on symptom variability is well-supported. A surprising and creative element was the use of network analysis and the concept of ‘network temperature’ from physics to describe mental health patterns. It was also compelling to see that boys’ symptoms seem to stabilize faster than girls’, which could impact how early interventions are designed.” Dr. Hafeez did note the need for more detail “regarding how environmental and social stressors were measured or included,” but said that overall, “The finding that adult depression tends to be more rigid highlights the importance of addressing symptoms before they become fixed.”
Dr. Maria Grace Wolk agrees. “This study confirms what we often see in trauma work—depressive symptoms in teens are still flexible because they’re often learned responses to early stress,” Dr. Wolk tells SheKnows. Again, that’s a positive finding, because “what’s learned can be unlearned,” she says.
The study, she added, also demonstrates the importance of a teen’s environment when it comes to mental health. “Things like attachment, stress at home, or feeling unseen shape how their brain develops,” she explained. “For example, a teen who shuts down emotionally may be protecting themselves from past hurt. If we support them early—before those patterns settle in—we have a real chance to help them heal and build healthier ways to cope.”
So what are the major signs of depression in teens?
Dr. Wolk says one major red flag is lasting sadness or irritability. “This is a rough day type of mood that lingers for weeks,” she explained. “Another key sign is a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, like sports, music, or time with friends. Changes in sleep or appetite are also common, whether it’s sleeping too much, not sleeping at all, or noticeable shifts in eating habits.”
Teens may also show signs of low energy or struggle to concentrate, which can affect school performance or day-to-day functioning. Most importantly, Dr. Wolk says, expressions of hopelessness, self-harm, or talk of wanting to disappear should never be dismissed—these require immediate attention. “If you notice a combination of these symptoms, especially if they persist, it’s time to reach out for support,” she advises. “Early intervention can change the trajectory of a young person’s mental health.”
Why is it important to get treatment for teens with depression?
Getting treatment for teens with depression is critical because early symptoms can become more severe over time if left unaddressed, says Dr. Hafeez. “Depression during adolescence can interfere with school, friendships, and family relationships. It also increases the risk of self-harm, substance use, and suicide,” she explains. As we know, the teen brain is still developing — which means it can be more responsive to treatment and change. “Early support can help teens build healthy coping skills that last into adulthood,” Dr. Hafeez explains. “Without help, depression can become a long-term condition that’s harder to treat later on. Addressing symptoms early gives teens the best chance for recovery and a healthier future.”
What parents can do to help
Parents play a powerful role in supporting a teen’s mental health. If you’re noticing that your teen is struggling, Dr. Wolk recommends first creating a safe space for your teen to express what they’re feeling, without rushing to fix or dismiss it. Then, “Listen with curiosity, not judgment. If something seems off, trust your gut and seek professional support early,” she says.
The key, as indicated by the study, is to treat early, and treat relationally. “The earlier we intervene, the greater the chance we have to support teens in building healthier emotional patterns, before those patterns become deeply rooted,” Dr. Wolk says. “Use data, but understand the story behind each symptom. As parents, caregivers, and professionals, we have a powerful opportunity to meet teens with compassion and presence because depression symptoms are not just statistics, they are signs that something deeper needs attention, care, and connection.”
Before you go, check out our favorite mental health apps:
More Stories from Health & Wellness
Leave a Comment