A parent may wonder if a teen is depressed when he isolates himself from others, has low mood, and stops doing the things he used to do that made him happy. A developmentalist may wonder about barriers to developing a healthy identity and may specifically assess whether the adolescent is experiencing identity:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the question are indicative of depression, which is a common co-occurring condition with identity diffusion. Identity diffusion is characterized by an inability to form a coherent sense of self, resulting in apathy, disengagement, and confusion. It is the opposite of identity achievement, which involves committing to a self-concept after a period of exploration. Foreclosure and moratorium are two other stages in identity development, but they do not align with the symptoms described in the question. Foreclosure refers to accepting an identity without exploration, while moratorium involves active searching for an identity.

A Parent May Wonder If a Teen Is Depressed When