Helping My Teenager With Depression

Is Depression A Serious Mental Illness

Yes, depression is a serious mental illness.

The longer it goes without treatment, the worst it can get.

Depression is often overlooked in teens and young adults because of the misconception that it is just a phase or that everyone gets sad sometimes.

If a teen or young adult is sad in general and not just in specific situations, and it has been negatively impacting their everyday life for a long period of time, it is important to reach out for professional help.

Teenage depression is a common and treatable mental illness. Talk therapy and medications are effective in teen depression treatment. Sandstone Care is here to support teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders.

Tip : Adopt Healthy Habits

Making healthy lifestyle choices can do wonders for your mood. Things like eating right, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep have been shown to make a huge difference when it comes to depression.

Get moving! Ever heard of a runners high? You actually get a rush of endorphins from exercising, which makes you feel instantly happier. Physical activity can be as effective as medications or therapy for depression, so get involved in sports, ride your bike, or take a dance class. Any activity helps! If youre not feeling up to much, start with a short daily walk, and build from there.

Be smart about what you eat. An unhealthy diet can make you feel sluggish and tired, which worsens depression symptoms. Junk food, refined carbs, and sugary snacks are the worst culprits! They may give you a quick boost, but theyll leave you feeling worse in the long run. Make sure youre feeding your mind with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Talk to your parents, doctor, or school nurse about how to ensure your diet is adequately nutritious.

Aim for eight hours of sleep each night. Feeling depressed as a teenager typically disrupts your sleep. Whether youre sleeping too little or too much, your mood will suffer. But you can get on a better sleep schedule

Connecting Teen Depression And Anxiety

As an anxiety expert, I often talk to teens who are also depressed. Why?

Because an untreated anxiety disorder in a child is one of the top predictors of developing depression as a teen or young adult, a fact that most teens and parents are unaware of. And because anxiety is the chief mental health complaint of young people, itâs not surprising that rates of depression in teens is increasing.

Adolescence is often the time when longer term issues with anxiety and worry become more intense and isolating. The challenges of social life and increased academic pressures push kids toward brand new experiences and responsibilities, along with the shadow side of hesitation and insecurity.

Specific learning difficulties can surface as students take on more complicated tasks or have to speak up in class. Sports become more demanding, and hormones can wreak havoc with appearance. Whether social, intellectual or physical, anything can serve as a source of worry.

Teens are caught between wanting to achieve and being afraid of failing, of wanting to belong and fearing rejection.

When teens believe they wonât measure up or when they expect rejection, they withdraw.

No degree of reassurance or encouragement seems to be enough, because you canât give your teen what sheâs looking for: a guarantee that everything will turn out perfectly.

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How Can I Help My Teen Live With Major Depression

As a parent, you play a key role in your teens treatment. Here are things you can do to help:

For several reasons, many parents never seek the right treatment for their teen with depression. This is true even though many people with major depression who seek treatment get better. They often improve within weeks. Continued treatment may help keep symptoms from coming back.

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What Are The Symptoms That Parents Should Watch Out For

Symptoms of depression vary from child to child, so here are some behaviors parents can keep an eye out for, which may hint that your child is depressed or in need of mental health care.

• The child seems very irritable keep in mind depression in young kids can look more irritable than sad or down.
• The child is spending a lot of time in their room and does not want to interact with family or friends
• The child has a significant decrease in energy level and is spending more time in bed/sleeping than usual
• The child is very sensitive and cries easily
• The child appears to get angry out of nowhere
• The child does not want to go to school
• Big changes to childs appetite suddenly eating significantly more or less

The Desire For Certainty

And itâs this desire for certainty that allows anxiety to grab your teen and hold on tight. Add to that a conflicting desire to be a part of a complicated and uncertain social world, and itâs no wonder that the withdrawal, hopelessness, and sadness of depression can take hold.

This means that helping children and teens understand and normalize the challenges of relationships, problem solving, disappointment, and uncertainty is critical for prevention and recovery. These are skills that can and should be taught.

Your anxious teen is looking for a guarantee that everything will turn out perfectly. Since you cannot control that, the family goal is acceptance with uncertainty.

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How Should I Get Involved

When youre worried about your teenager, its tempting to spend hours online researching their condition and looking for advice on how you can fix your child. But the truth is that teen depression isnt usually something that can be cured with a single step like changing your childs diet or being more strict in your parenting. Depression is a complicated mental health condition that manifests uniquely in each child.

But that doesnt mean you should sit back and hope your child grows out of it. As a parent, you are the most important advocate for your childs well-being. One important thing you can do is assess your childs lifestyle for obvious areas of stress or risk. Another approach is to consider your familys lifestyle and historyare there frequently occurring circumstances that could be triggering to your child, or past events that might have caused trauma in their life?

One of the best ways to get involved is to talk to a mental health specialist about your depressed teen. Sharing with an expert about your teens issues, including how they are different from their normal self and how long this struggle has been going on, is the first step in getting crucial insights about whats really going on with your teen and how you can help them.

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Getting Your Teen Evaluated

A thorough evaluation by a professional is required to determine if your teen has depression, assess the severity of the problem, and weigh the treatment options.

Schedule an assessment for your teen with a medical doctor or mental health professional who specializes in helping teenagers. Seeing your child’s pediatrician can be a good first step.

Different Kinds Of Mental Health And Wellness Websites And Why You Need To Pick Them

Psychological health and wellness web sites are a wonderful method to obtain information on different psychological health and wellness conditions and also treatments. They can also be an alternative to typical therapists.

When you are searching for a mental health internet site, there are numerous things that you should take into consideration. These consist of the experience of the specialist as well as the internet sites credentials, as well as their area and also price.

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What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline

SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

Explain Depression To Your Teen

Comparing depression to a physical malady such as diabetes can help your teen frame depression as an illness, understand their symptoms, grasp the importance of treatment, and help them not to feel alone or abnormal. Older children and adolescents are especially sensitive to feeling different or out of place. Talk with your child and encourage them to ask questions.

For example: “Depression is a mental illness. It’s like the flu and other illnesses in that it can make you feel tired or have a headache. It can also affect your moods and feelings. It can make you feel sad, lonely, frustrated, angry, or scared.”

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Talking To Someone About Depression

It may seem like theres no way your parents will be able to help, especially if they are always nagging you or getting angry about your behavior. The truth is, parents hate to see their kids hurting. They may feel frustrated because they dont understand what is going on with you or know how to help.

• If your parents are abusive in any way, or if they have problems of their own that makes it difficult for them to take care of you, find another adult you trust . This person can either help you approach your parents, or direct you toward the support you need.
• If you truly dont have anyone you can talk to, there are many hotlines, services, and support groups that can help.
• No matter what, talk to someone, especially if you are having any thoughts of harming yourself or others. Asking for help is the bravest thing you can do, and the first step on your way to feeling better.

Practical Strategies To Help Your Teenager With Depression

Adolescence is known for its mood swings and rebellion. However, you might find that your child has become particularly emotional or self-critical. These changes might be signs of depression and, if so, its important to explore what might be going on.

There is support available to help your teen with depression and the earlier the better. It may be a long road, with setbacks along the way but with the right support, you can get the most appropriate treatment for teenage depression.

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Debra Fileta has identified the four seasons of marriage that correspond with our natural seasons spring , summer , fall , and winter . In this interview, she will help couples better understand the four seasons of healthy relationships, what to expect during each one, and how to carefully navigate them for a stronger marriage.

What To Expect From Treatment

Treatment for a depression can take time and sometimes involves some trial and error. No two kids are the same, and its important to remain patient with the process to help your child feel safe.

• Education: Educating your child about depression is a crucial first step. This helps your child understand the possible causes , understand brain chemistry , and reduces self-blame. It also normalizes what your child is going through.
• Psychotherapy: Counseling is a good option for kids struggling with depression. There are different kinds of counseling and what works for one might not work for another. For very young children, play therapy is an option. For older kids and teens, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be effective. It can take time to find the best patient/therapist match. Make several calls and dont be afraid to ask questions. You know your child best.
• Medication: Medication might be necessary for moderate to severe cases, but medication works best when combined with counseling. Medication management is important. Close supervision of the prescribing physician is recommended.
• Hospitalization: For severe cases of depression, including suicidal ideation, hospitalization is sometimes necessary.

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S To Get Your Teen Help

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

• Teen Suicide Risk

Depressed teens often experience significant emotional and sometimes physical pain, but may not know what to do to make it better or find the help that they need. Parents are usually in the best position to take charge in getting initial help for a depressed teen.

Learn how to know when to seek professional help, how to talk to your teen about depression, and how to support them through their experience.

Which Teens Are At Risk For Major Depression

A teen may be more likely to have major depression if they have experienced:

• Family history of depression, especially if a parent had depression when young

• Physical or emotional trauma including peer problems, bullying, and academic trouble

• Other mental health problems

• Loss of a parent, caregiver, or other loved one

• Cigarette smoking

• Loss of a relationship, such as moving away or losing a partner

• Other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes

• Other developmental, learning, or conduct disorders

• Gender issues, especially if the person is bullied

• A traumatic brain injury

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What Are The Signs Of Depression In A Teenager

If you think your teen may be suffering from depression, there are certain signs or indicators to be aware of. For teens this includes:

Low self-esteem that is expressed as shame and failure.

Substance use. Teens who are depressed often turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate.

Text messages. Teens sometimes say things like wanting to die or they are thinking about suicide.

Highly sensitive to criticism. Teens with depression feel feelings of worthlessness which makes them sensitive to rejection, failure, and especially criticism.

Aches and pains , with no identifiable medical explanation.

Difficulty at school. Problems with concentration and having low energy can lead to attendance problems, a drop in grades, and/or frustration with schoolwork. This includes the inability to concentrate.

Excessive time on the Internet, computer, or gaming.

Irritability. Depression tends to cause irritability rather than sadness. Teens may be grumpy, hostile, and easily frustrated.

Withdrawal from relationships. Teens with depression may withdraw from some, but not all, of their relationships. While depressed adults commonly pull away from relationships in general, teens tend to be more selective. They might pull away from some and sustain others, start mixing with a different peer group, or just pull away from parents.

Engaging in risky behavior. This may show up in a variety of waysrecklessness, drinking, unsafe sex.

Why Are Teens More Prone To Depression And Anxiety

The teen brain is going through major development.

Certain parts of the brain are responsible for functions such as impulse control, decision making, planning, and prioritizing.

Because these skills are still developing in teens and young adults, it can make them more likely to engage in risky behaviors and make them more vulnerable to stress.

Anxiety and depression are both stress-related mental disorders.

Teens also need a lot of sleep, and many dont get a sufficient amount.

A lack of sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating, increased impulsivity, and an increase in irritability and depression.

Read Also: How To Help Clinical Depression

What Evaluation Might Look Like

Your child’s doctor can evaluate your child’s health, make a diagnosis, recommend treatments, and refer you to another professional, if necessary.

• A medical doctor can order blood tests, review family history, and evaluate current medications, sleep patterns, and diet to determine if there is a physical cause for the depression.
• A psychological evaluation or testing by a psychologist over several sessions can provide extensive information about the severity and nature of the symptoms, contributing factors, and the possible presence of suicidal ideation. This option is best suited for cases in which the diagnosis is unclear.

A therapist who specializes in treating teens will evaluate the symptoms based on talks with the teen and family members. They’ll then come up with specific recommendations that are the most likely to help your teen.

The process can take time. Help your teen understand that determining effective therapies and medications can be a trial-and-error process, and it might take several tries to get the treatment plan right. Also, many antidepressants take weeks to months to reach full effect.