Teenage depression is not just a gloomy mood here and there; instead it is a very serious problem that should not be taken lightly. It often affects every part of a teenager's life and leads to serious issues - violence, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, self- mutilation, self-loathing and possibly even suicide. Thankfully there are things that a parent can do but first it is important to understand what depression is.
Is your teen depressed? Understanding teenage depression. Many people hold misconceptions of teenage depression. While the teenage years can be rough for most teens, most teenagers are able to successfully get through them by developing a good sense of self, building strong relationships and having a good support system. Typically there is some acting out and bad moods, but teenage depression is very different. This mental illness can cause feelings of despair, anger and sadness that is completely overwhelming to the teen. Unfortunately depression afflicts much more than one might realize. Some of the signs and symptoms of depression in teens include: hopelessness, sadness, restlessness, agitation, irritability, hostility, anger, feelings of worthlessness, withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in doing things, fatigue and general lack of energy. As many teens have these feelings at one time or another during these difficult years, it is important to consider how severe the symptoms are, how long the symptoms have been present and whether the teen is acting differently than normal. If you think your teen might be suffering from depression, it is best to seek professional help right from the start. In this case, it's better to be safe than sorry.
What you can do to help? Teenage depression can often leave parents feeling helpless and confused about what is going on with their teen. Fortunately, there are things that parents can do to be involved in their teens' care and to support them.
Seek professional help. As depression can be very damaging if it is left untreated, it is imperative that parents seek treatment right away. Parents will often try to help their teen themselves, or try to wait it out and hope the depression goes away by itself. As well meaning as parents might be, these actions won't help. The best thing a parent can do for the teen is to contact a professional that specializes in depression (preferably one that specializes in teen depression specifically) when the teen exhibits the signs and symptoms of depression. Your family doctor may be able to conduct a depression screening. If so, give your physician very specific information about the symptoms your teen is experiencing, how long they have been present, any patterns you have noticed as well as how the symptoms are affecting your teen's day-to-day life. Remember to mention any other members of the family that have faced depression or mental health disorders. Be prepared for your teen to have a complete work-up including bloodwork to rule out any physical conditions as it is possible that some illnesses and their medications can cause depression.
Contact a professional who specializes in depression. Once you have seen your family physician and ruled out any other medical reasons for the symptoms, have him or her refer your teen to a psychologist, counselor etc. While it may be more difficult to receive a referral for a teen depression specialist (although if you live in a big city, this might be more possible), at least get a referral to a depression specialist. It is important to listen to your teen when choosing a specialist. He or she is the one who must be comfortable with the professional so be sure to ask for his or her input. Also, once your teen has seen this professional, listen to the feedback your teen gives. If he or she talks of being uncomfortable or really doesn't like the professional, select another one.
Do not rely on medication. As the parent, you should be involved in the treatment process for your teen. There are many treatment options available for teen depression, of which medication is only one option. Make sure that your teen's treatment include different options, including group therapy, one-on-one discussion and support groups, in addition to any medication prescribed. Medications can be very costly and are typically not needed unless your teen's depression is severe. Don't feel pressured to put your teen on medication prior to other treatment options being implemented.