Depression is a medical condition that can be caused by a combination of environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors. While there isn’t a singular cause that can lead to major depressive disorder, there are some factors that can contribute to the worsening of symptoms. For teens, school can be one of those contributing factors.

School is a significant aspect of a teen’s life, taking up a majority of their time and energy. It can impact every student differently. But for teens struggling with a mental health condition, such as depression, it’s possible for their symptoms to become exacerbated by school in many ways.

By learning about how depression symptoms can worsen from school, you can gain a better understanding of how the disorder impacts teens’ quality of life. You’ll also learn about the most effective treatments that can help.

How school can worsen depression symptoms in teens

Even though school is an educational institution, there’s more to it than exams and lectures. Various aspects of school can interfere with a teen’s emotional, mental and behavioral health, which can increase the severity of their depression symptoms.

Here are a few ways that school can worsen depression symptoms in teens:

• Academic expectations — When you think of school, you likely think of classwork, homework and exams. It can be overwhelming and stressful for every student. But for a teen who has depression, coursework can worsen their symptoms if they feel like they aren’t meeting expectations. If they don’t get a good grade on an exam or they’re struggling to stay on top of their work, they can feel a lack of motivation to try harder.
• Future planning — Teenagers in school are often asked about what they want to be when they become adults. In high school, they’re asked to talk about what they hope to accomplish once they graduate. The pressure to figure out what their future looks like can make a teen with depression feel pessimistic about their prospects and focus on their shortcomings. They may struggle to feel like they have control of their future. Their lack of motivation can make it difficult for them to come up with viable options.
• Self-esteem — During a person’s teenage years, they’re trying to figure out who they are and how they want to be perceived by others. They’re also likely comparing themselves to others. A teen can struggle with their sense of self if they have low self-esteem from comparing themselves to their classmates. Puberty struggles and potential bullying can also play a role. While everyone can lack confidence in themselves at some point, depression can make it difficult for a teen to see their good qualities, especially when they’re surrounded every day by people they perceive as “better” in looks, personality or potential.

• Social status — Teens can struggle with social expectations and making quality friendships, which play a large role in their personal development. They may strive to “fit in” or find a “clique” that they work well with. It can be especially difficult when depression interferes with their ability to find joy in activities and they want to isolate themselves away from others.

It’s important to note that a teen’s poor performance in these aspects can also be initial symptoms of depression. For example, depression can make a person avoid social settings and have their grades slip. That’s why it’s essential to seek proper treatment for a teen’s symptoms. When they’re not addressed, the symptoms can further decrease a teen’s quality of life, both in and out of school.

What to do when school causes a teen’s depression symptoms to worsen

Even though teens with depression can’t avoid school, they can learn how to address and manage the factors that worsen their symptoms. When a teen is struggling with any mental health distress or disorder that’s interfering with their school, psychotherapy can be an effective course of action.

Talking to a therapist can help a teen with depression address the factors of school that exacerbate their symptoms and learn how to work through the challenges. For instance, a therapist can help them figure out the root of their self-esteem issues or alleviate their fear about postgraduation plans. They can learn coping strategies for everyday triggers, such as a poor grade on an assignment or hearing a mean comment from a classmate. A teen can also develop effective techniques to help them in many facets of their life, such as time management skills and relaxation exercises.

If a teenager needs further support beyond their outpatient therapy sessions, then they may benefit from the Intensive Outpatient Program at Lightfully Teen. It’s a structured, comprehensive program that helps teens with depression alleviate their symptoms and develop skills through a variety of therapy dynamics, including individual, group and family sessions.

Change is possible. When your teen is ready to address their depression, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.