Moving to a new home, city or even country can be exciting as well as nerve-racking and a little bit sad. While the circumstances surrounding a move often play a role in the emotions a person may feel, teenagers almost always feel more sad than happy when they have to move. While it may take a while for them to get used to their new surroundings and feel more comfortable, it’s also possible that a teen can experience significant mental health distress from moving, potentially even developing relocation depression.

Relocation depression isn’t a diagnosable disorder per the DSM-5-TR, but it may be used as a descriptor of the resulting symptoms from the distress. Despite the term, ongoing mood distress related to moving often aligns with criteria for an adjustment disorder rather than a separate category of depression. It can cause symptoms that not only affect your teen’s overall quality of life, but can also potentially lead to a major depressive disorder diagnosis.

Read on to learn about the ins and outs of relocation depression that can affect your teen.

What is relocation depression?

While the name implies that relocation depression is a specific type of depression diagnosis that occurs from moving, it’s actually referred to as an adjustment disorder. If your teen experiences a significant life change or stressful event, it can have a negative impact on their emotions, thoughts and behaviors as they try to navigate the circumstances.

Teens may develop relocation depression for a variety of reasons after moving, including:

• Leaving their friend group
• Trying to fit in at a new school
• Learning a new town
• Experiencing culture shock
• Disliking their new home
• Having their routines disrupted
• Stressing about changes

Relocation depression symptoms are similar to major depressive disorder for teens, including:

• Overwhelming sadness
• Heightened irritability or anger 
• Concentration issues
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Lack of interest in making friends
• Loss of pleasure in activities they usually enjoy
• Self-harm behaviors, such as cutting
• Suicidal thoughts

If your teen is at risk to themselves or others, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 for immediate support.

How long relocation depression can last and how to treat it

Relocation depression can vary in duration for everyone, but the symptoms are temporary. Many teens will have symptoms disappear in just a few months after the initial move. If distressing symptoms continue beyond six months, it may be worth consulting a mental health professional to evaluate whether other conditions, such as major depressive disorder, might be present. 

If your teen is struggling mentally and emotionally after a move, here are a few ways that they can alleviate their relocation depression symptoms:

• Journaling — Moving can make a teen feel angry toward their parents and like they’re isolated away from the life they’re used to. By getting those thoughts and feelings out on paper, they can process their emotions in a way that can lift some weight off their shoulders. Journaling can give them an opportunity to write down the fears that they may have trouble admitting to others and recognize negative thought patterns that are contributing to their symptoms.
• Spending time in nature — Getting fresh air while being surrounded by nature can help your teen’s relocation depression in multiple ways. Being in nature has been linked to reduced stress, increased positive emotions and higher concentration. It can also help stimulate their senses in a way that makes them feel more connected with their new surroundings, such as the smell of the grass. By connecting with nature in their new location, they can feel a sense of belonging there. 
• Therapy — If your teen is struggling to get used to their new home and the life changes that come along with it, they may benefit from talking to a psychotherapist. A therapist can help them gain a deeper understanding of the root of their relocation depression symptoms and talk through difficult situations they are having after the move. They’ll also learn coping strategies that can help throughout the acclimation process.

Lightfully Teen can help your teen through relocation depression

When your teen is uprooted from the place they’re used to and the friends they had, it can result in overwhelming sadness and isolation that can interfere with their new experience. The good news is that relocation depression is temporary. However, if the symptoms are persistent or worsening, they may need to be treated for major depressive disorder.

If your teen is experiencing depression symptoms that require further treatment beyond therapy, our three Lightfully Teen levels of care may help:

• Residential Treatment
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Intensive Outpatient Program

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to helping your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.