Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
How Parents Can Support Teenagers With Depression
Offering support and guidance to adolescents who appear to be suffering from depression can be challenging for parents. In many life circumstances, children rely on parents for the transfer of knowledge, but knowledge about managing emotions and mental health issues can be a different animal. Many parents do not know where to begin.
Teach And Practice Relaxation Techniques
Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and grounding exercises are all excellent for mood regulation and staying present. Grounding and mindfulness exercises do not have to be as formal as going to a class. Even encouraging your teen to take a moment to themselves when they are feeling overwhelmed can be helpful. For more simple exercises, see here.
It may take some time to find an exercise that works for your teen, but keep trying! The benefits speak for themselves. One study review found that mindfulness-based meditation is a helpful approach to the treatment of anxiety and depression. Combined with aerobic exercise, mindfulness was shown to be even more effective and to have immediate results.6
Recommended Reading: Best Type Of Therapy For Depression
Warning Signs Of Depression
Depression can radically affect your childs personality. You might notice sadness, tearfulness, anger, and/or despair, without any logical explanation. Also, your teen may start rebelling against your authoritytalking back when they never used to.
Teenagers from all walks of life are affected by depression. In fact, one out of five adolescents suffers from this mental illness. And although depression is treatable, most of the kids who suffer do not receive the help they need.
Besides providing your teen with lots of love, guidance, and support, what can youas a parentdo if you notice that your teen is possibly depressed?
Before you can help your teen with depression, you first have to know how to spot it. It is not easy, but some signs can give you a good idea as to whether or not your teen is suffering from depression.
Lets take a closer look at some of the warning signs of depression.
1. Low Self-Esteem
Listen to what your teen is saying. Pay close attention. Are they self-deprecating? Are they beating themselves up unnecessarily?
When your child is depressed, it can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness or shame. They might start talking about being a failure or feeling undeserving of love. They may mention how fat or ugly they are and how they dont have any friends, etc. This is a red flag indicating low self-esteem.
2. Abuse of Drugs and/or Alcohol
Not only does alcohol and drug abuse not rid teens of their depression, but it also only makes it worse.
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. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Also visit the online treatment locator.
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Melinda Smith Ma Suzanne Barston Jeanne Segal Phd
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Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents
Melinda Smith, M.A., Suzanne Barston, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.
www.helpguide.org
___________________________
Help your Family by Learning the Signs, Symptoms and Effects of Teen Depression
Teenage depression isnât just bad moods and the occasional melancholyâitâs a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teenâs life. Teen depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, selfâloathing and selfâmutilation, pregnancy, violence, and even suicide. But as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can help. Talking about the problem and offering support can go a long way toward getting your teenager back on track.
Understanding teen depressionThere are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self.
Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenagerâs personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.
To find a suicide helpline outside the U.S., visit Befrienders Worldwide.
Tip : Support Your Teen Through Depression Treatment
As your depressed teenager goes through treatment, the most important thing you can do is to let them know that youre there to listen and offer support. Now more than ever, your teenager needs to know that theyre valued, accepted, and cared for.
Be understanding.Living with a depressed teenager can be difficult and draining. At times, you may experience exhaustion, rejection, despair, aggravation, or any other number of negative emotions. During this trying time, its important to remember that your child is not being difficult on purpose. Your teen is suffering, so do your best to be patient and understanding.
Stay involved in treatment. Make sure your teenager is following all treatment instructions, whether its attending therapy or correctly taking any prescribed medication. Track changes in your teens condition, and call the doctor if depression symptoms seem to be getting worse.
Be patient. The road to your depressed teenagers recovery may be bumpy, so be patient. Rejoice in small victories and prepare for the occasional setback. Most importantly, dont judge yourself or compare your family to others. As long as youre doing your best to get your teen the necessary help, youre doing your job.
Read Also: Anxiety And Depression In Students
How Many Teens Experience Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2014, an estimated 2.8 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. This number represented 11.4% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17. Thats over one in ten middle and high school aged children.
Getting Your Teen Evaluated
The first step in helping a teen with symptoms of depression is a thorough evaluation by a professional. This crucial step helps provide valuable information about whether your teen suffers from depression, the severity of the problem, and what treatment options are likely to be the most effective.
Depending on the available resources and how long it takes to set up an initial appointment, you should schedule an assessment for your teen with their medical doctor or with a mental health professional who specializes in helping teenagers. Seeing your child’s pediatrician may be a good first step.
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If You Are Worried About Your Teenager Seek Help
Ginty Butler: One of the things that often gets lost is the fact that anxiety and depression are both treatable illnesses. With appropriate treatment, people can and do get better.
Parents who are concerned that anxiety or depression is causing their teen to withdraw from friends or activities they used to enjoy should seek professional care for their child. The best place to start is with a trusted health care provider, such as a family pediatrician. You can also reach out to Boston Childrens or another pediatric health provider for resources.
Sharing Your Faith With Grace And Purpose
You can confidently and lovingly share your faithyou just need to learn some new tactics to do so! In this Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast, apologist Greg Koukl outlines the Columbo tactic of asking questions, the self-defeating argument tactic to find holes in your opponents arguments, and other specific methods for engaging in faith-building conversations with others. Greg pulls from his over 30 years of experience debating atheists and agnostics to help you share your faith with grace and truth.
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Talk About Treatment With Your Teen
Your teenager is more likely to comply with treatment if they understand what it is for, knows what to expect, and can have a say in it. Of course, it is not always practical to allow your child to plan their own treatment, but if you can allow them to even make a small decision , it may make a big difference in allowing them to feel a little more in control.
- For Example: “You will need to take your medicine every day and go to therapy once a week so you feel better. You can talk privately to your therapist about how you are feeling. Your medicine may make you feel extra tired or dizzy, but it should go away soon. That is why you will see the doctor once a month. They will ask about how the medicine is making you feel and will make sure that it is helping you.”
Taking Care Of Yourself
Lastly, its important to make sure that youre taking care of yourself. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to be a parent of someone who is struggling with depression. Know that you are not alone, and get support for yourself. Make sure that you make time to do things you enjoy and go out with friends. The phrase: happy mommy = happy baby still applies!
Recommended Reading: Signs Of Major Depressive Episode
Signs Of Depression In Teens
Some of the signs of depression in teens are fairly well-known: feeling sad, hopeless or worthless frequent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide and withdrawing from family and friends. Others, however, are not easily identifiable as symptoms of depression. Some of these include irritability changes in eating and sleeping habits fatigue or lethargy inability to focus/concentrate stomach problems or headaches poor hygiene and acting-out behaviors, Vega said.
Vega explains that some parents do notice symptoms but treat them out of context. For example, a teen suffering from depression has difficulty concentrating and a parent may suggest ADD medication. While this is beneficial for the teen and their academics, it does not minimize the illness they are living with.
How To Parent A Depressed Teen
Understanding Teenage Depression: How Parents Can Help Their Teens Overcome It
As a parent raising teenage kids, you may be alarmed at the growing cases of teenage depression reported in the news. Fortunately, there is help for teenage depression. Various studies have been done, with impressive success results. If you suspect that your teenager is depressed, this blog will help you understand the difference between sadness and real depression. You will also be given guidance on how you can help in your childs treatment.
Depression can hit anyone, whether teenager or adult. But a teenager may be more prone to depression because of the physical and emotional changes of puberty, peer pressures to fit in and stressful subjects in school.
Psychologists have designed tests to identify depression in teenagers. Some of the symptoms are:
- Being in a deep, negative mood and can not give a reason why
- Inability to laugh
- No excitement about the future
- Thoughts about suicide
Our Therapists are ready to help. Make an appointment today! Call us at
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Some Advice For Parents Of Depressed Teens
When I was a teenager suffering from major depression, my parents tried their best to support me, yet ended up doing all the wrong things. This isnt something they can be blamed for understanding another person, even those closest to us, is difficult enough even when mental health issues dont come into play.
When you take a moment to actually think about it, the teenage years can be some of the most difficult times in a persons life. While adolescents are just entering their intellectual and emotional maturity, they still lack the information and experience needed to make good decisions and in fact have very little control over the circumstances of their lives. Very often, they are socially and emotionally insecure, concerned about the future and exposed to pressures that few adults can truly understand or remember feeling themselves. Under such circumstances, its really not surprising that teens sometimes become depressed in fact, its estimated that as many as 20% of people between 13 and 18 growing up today will be diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
With this being the case, all parents should educate themselves about how to recognize the symptoms of depression in their children and know something about how to support them through dark times.
Begin Counseling For Depression In Temecula Ca
Though you can be a big support in your childs life, youll need the help and guidance of a trained mental health therapist. If your teenager finds a therapist they can trust, teen counseling is very, very effective for teen depression. As a Temecula, CA counseling clinic, we can help you connect with a therapist who works with teenagers.
If you or a loved one has a child or teenager suffering with depression, you are not alone. Please contact Outside The Norm Counseling to discuss treatment options.
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Effective Habits To Embrace In Parenting
To be an effective parent, you must be a leader in your childs life, guiding with a gentle hand and setting a solid example. Dr. Randy Schroeder provides the insight you need to be a leader-parent. As he explores the foundational Rsrelationship, routines, responsibilities, and rulesyoull better understand the role you play in your childs life. Youll learn great phrases to employ such as Either/Or/You Decide and When You/Then You. While there is no perfect parent, this nuts-and-bolts material will equip you to lead your child in a loving, confident manner.
Communicate Openly About Your Teens Depression
Your teen needs you now more than ever. Teenagers need to feel that they can talk to parents or other trusted adults when their world feels dark. Often they talk to other depressed teenagers whose brains are also impacted by this illness. It is so important that you instead develop the trust it will take for your teenager to feel like they can speak to you about their problems.
Sit your child down and tell them they can come to you at any time for any reason. Let them know you could never be angry at them for how they feel. Be clear that you want to understand how they feel and wont judge them for their thoughts and feelings. When they are ready to talk, listen closely and with an open mind and heart. Try not to get defensive-theyre depression isnt caused by you even if in the moment they say things that sounds like they are blaming you. Instead, focus on listening deeply and understand. You cant help them until you truly understand what they are going through.
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Raising A Strong Daughter In A Toxic Culture: 11 Steps To Keep Her Happy Healthy And Safe
Meg Meeker has been a pediatrician for more than thirty years, is a mother and a grandmother, and has seen it all. She knows what makes for strong, happy, healthy young womenand what puts our daughters at risk. Combining that experience with her famous common sense, she explains the eleven steps that will help your daughterwhether shes a toddler or a troubled teento achieve her full human potential.
Getting Help For Teenagers With Depression
Depression is unlikely to go away on its own, but teenagers with depression usually get better with treatment. This means that seeking early help for your child is the best thing you can do.
Seeking help also shows your child that you care. Talking to your child and seeing a health professional together sends the message that your child isnt alone. And most young people wont seek help themselves, so your child probably needs your help to get professional support.
If youve tried to talk to your child, but your child has refused help or said there was nothing wrong, you might need to seek help by yourself to start with.
There are many professionals and services you can go to for help with teenage depression:
- your local community health centre
- local mental health services.
If youre unsure, your GP will be able to guide you to the most appropriate services for your family.
Depression is no-ones fault, even if it seems to run in your family. Many factors influencing depression will be outside your control. But theres a lot you can do every day to foster your childs mental health and reduce your childs risk.
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Involve Them In Treatment Choices
If seeking professional help, involve your children whenever possible. You want them to be motivated and engaged in the treatment. Its important your teen connects with the professional and the style of treatment. The connections made may increase the likelihood of engagement in the healing process. It is important to note here that deeply depressed people may not be able to or want to be involved in the treatment options. They may even be resistant to going. In this case, you need to be able to guide them to seek care, and if necessary insist on it. Read this piece for suggestions on how to prepare young people to seek professional help.