Detecting depression in teens can be much more difficult than detecting it in adults. For one thing, as they proceed through puberty, they’re already likely prone to mood swings and a degree of gloom. It can be hard to distinguish these normal experiences from things like anxiety panic disorders and other problems stemming from depression. For all you know, the real problem may be that their face has broken out and a few acne treatments could make their misery go away. Yet there’s the real possibility of serious depression as well.

How can you discern whether your teen simply feels “blue” occasionally, or has full-blown depression and might need medical attention? If your teen’s gloomy moods aren’t balanced out by more positive things like good friends, interests and hobbies, or a generally good school experience, then these may be warning signs. Depression in teens can manifest in lack of self-esteem, isolation and lack of concentration. And of course, if there is any talk of suicide, or any of these symptoms last for more than three weeks, you may need to find a depression treatment center.

Treatments can be varied, though having discussions with a therapist may be the best place to start. They’ll try to discover if you’re dealing with an anxiety disorder or if there’s a coming together of external influences that have created a perfect storm in your teen’s life, or a combination of the two. The best treatments may include a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants. If the depression is connected to disorders like anorexia or bulimia, then the teenager may benefit from some time in a mental health treatment center that would be better equipped to deal with all of the issues he or she is facing. They can also supervise the effects of antidepressants, which sometimes increase suicidal tendencies in teens rather than decreasing them.

Treating depression in teens as early as possible can increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. It’s true that about half of depressed teens will have occasional bouts with depression into adulthood. But treatments generally result in 50% of depressed teenagers returning to a normal life with no further experiences of depression. Even for those who will continue to face it later in life, getting them into therapy and counseling as early as possible will make it much easier for them to manage the depression when they’re older.

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