Which statement indicates that a teenager is probably experiencing clinical depression rather than the discontent and bad moods that are a typical part of adolescence?

• A. The source of the teenager's depression is the breakup of a romance or close friendship.
• B. The teenager seems to be in a bad mood one day and a good mood the next day and alternates back and forth.
• C. The source of the teenager's depression is poor performance in a school or athletic endeavor.
• D. The teenager exhibits behaviors associated with depression consistently for several consecutive weeks.

Answer: (D)

Enduring depressive symptoms that last for weeks and interfere with daily life are what signal clinical depression in teens. When a teen shows behaviors associated with depression consistently over several consecutive weeks, it suggests a persistent condition beyond normal moodiness. In contrast, mood that swings from day to day, sadness tied to a breakup, or declines in school or sport performance that aren’t sustained or pervasive are more typical of temporary stress or situational upset rather than clinical depression.