How Can I Help
my Depressed Teen?

If you believe that your teenager is suffering from depression, it can be crucial to seek help from a qualified professional. Depression is a serious condition that requires serious intervention. Left untreated, symptoms of depression are likely to get worse.

There are many ways to help your teen overcome depression and feel better. The first step can be to learn about what depression looks like for teens. Once you know what to look out for you will be better able to spot warning signs and red flags.

Only a trained and licensed professional can fully assess, diagnose and treat depression. Teenagers can be especially susceptible to depression due to inherent changes during this stage of development as well as mounting pressures from school, friends and society. Therapeutic intervention can aid in treating symptoms of depression and navigating the unique challenges of one’s teenage years.

What must I know about depression in teenagers?

Teenage depression goes beyond sadness and moodiness. It is a serious medical condition that can cause a constant feeling of despair, affecting various aspects of your child’s life. It can lead to anhedonia aka inability to feel enjoyment, so they can lose interest in a lot of activities. It can impact the way they think, feel and behave.

Depression is not a flaw or something that can be simply ended through sheer willpower alone. Depression is a medical condition that is treatable. Treatment may involve long-term therapy and other helpful interventions. You can also play an important role in your teen’s recovery from depression. Your support and guidance can go a long way as they address their depressive symptoms and get their life back on track.

Teens are at a greater risk for depression than many parents may realize. Research shows that one in five teenagers will experience depression at some point in their adolescent years. It is unfortunate, but many of these depressed teens will not receive professional help.

Is my teen daughter or son depressed?

Many teens will not receive treatment due to their symptoms going unrecognized. Though many teenagers can tend to be moody, depression goes far beyond ordinary sadness. Their depressed mood can be profound, intense, persistent, and without an identified trigger.

Defiant and unhealthy teen behaviors can be signs of clinical depression. Depression may also lead to difficulties in multiple life areas – school, home, relationships etc. They may experience low self-esteem, substance abuse, run away from home, or behave recklessly while engaging in extreme and dangerous sports or activities.

Depression can also occur along with other concerns, including anxiety, self-harm, and eating disorders. These symptoms may also disrupt their relationships and the relationships of those around them.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression in young people?

Moodiness and sadness can be the hallmark symptoms of depression among adolescents, but there are teens who may not necessarily exhibit these common symptoms. Instead, they may present with extreme and unusual behaviors, such as excessive energy when it is uncalled for or anger, agitation, and unexplained anxiousness.

Help Guide shares that some common signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers are:

  • Sadness or hopelessness
  • Irritability, anger, or hostility
  • Tearfulness or frequent crying
  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Poor school performance
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits
  • Restlessness and agitation
  • Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
  • Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

How is depression different for teens?

Recognizing symptoms of depression can be challenging because everyone is different, and teens sometimes exhibit symptoms of depression differently than adults. For instance, younger people have a greater tendency to exhibit angry outbursts than, perhaps, their adult counterparts.

Many teens often complain of various aches and pains, though checkups do not reveal a medical cause. They can have serious concerns related to low self-esteem, even if they are an ‘overachiever’ or “popular”. They can be very sensitive to criticism, causing them to withdraw socially, even from their own families.

How can I help my teen battle depression?

You or your teenage child may not readily recognize the signs of depression, thinking that the changes they feel are typical during adolescence. If the changes in their behavior are becoming alarming, it may be time to seek professional help. While you may have their best interest in your heart, depression often requires professional intervention.

Helping a depressed teen is not always easy, or doable, because they may be more likely to reject help, even from their own parents. They may feel insecure, intimidated, or embarrassed. This is why it can be productive to work with a behavioral health professional, even if it’s just for a consultation.

It can be important to let your teen know that they have the power to end their suffering and that going it alone is not necessary.

How can therapy help my teen overcome symptoms of depression?

There is no single best way to treat teen depression. The therapy modality is usually determined by your teens own specific and unique needs. Effective therapeutic approaches can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI) and interpersonal therapy to name a few.

Therapy works because it helps to expose triggers to symptoms and provides healthy alternatives to unhealthy or risky behaviors. It can also aid in exploring critical relationships and experiences, finding healthier ways to manage emotions and react to challenges in a more effective, productive way.

How can CCS help my teen?

The process of overcoming and recovering from depression can take time and patience. This can be especially true if your teen has been depressed for an extended period of time. Unlike adults, who can seek assistance on their own, teens generally rely on their parents to recognize their distress and get them the professional help they need.

Depression and relapse can cause your teen to go through numerous ups and downs. This underscores the importance of treatment. CCS – Fuquay-Varina, NC contracts with caring and knowledgeable licensed therapists who can help. Call today to schedule an appointment.

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