What's expected and what deserves attention

Not all distress is an illness, and not all distress goes away on its own. This resource helps you tell the difference.

What's expected

• Frequent, intense mood swings.
• More sensitivity to criticism and to how others see them.
• Moments of sadness or melancholy with no clear cause.
• Irritability that seems out of proportion.
• Stretches with lots of energy and others when they're very tired.

What deserves attention

• Sadness or emptiness that lasts more than two weeks without letting up.
• Loss of interest in everything, including things they used to like.
• Major changes in sleep or eating.
• Expressions of hopelessness, or of feeling like a burden to others.
• Any mention of hurting themselves.

The difference

Expected intensity shows up, feels strong, and passes. When the distress stays, takes over almost everything, and affects everyday life, it's no longer just teenage intensity.

Sadness, anger, or shutting themselves away are also saying something. Before wanting it to pass, it's worth asking yourself what it's saying.