The teen years can be especially challenging for teens and parents alike. Adolescents commonly experience a multitude of physical and emotional changes as they grow older, and these changes often result in occasional mood swings and acting out.
While these sporadic mood fluctuations are rarely a cause for concern, teenage depression is much more serious than occasional bouts of moodiness or melancholy. If unrecognized or unaddressed, teen depression can lead to overwhelming emotions that severely affect a teen’s sense of self, impair his or her ability to function, and may even lead to thoughts of suicide.
Fortunately, professional help is readily available and teen depression can be treated effectively. However, in order to make sure your teen receives the help he or she needs, you need to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of teen depression and know when and where to get professional assistance.
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Depression
Teen depression is almost as misunderstood as teens themselves. The drama and conflict caused by a teen’s changing identity, interests, and peer groups can make it difficult for parents to distinguish typical moodiness from depression. The difficulty in recognizing teen depression is often compounded by the fact that many teens with depression do not actually appear depressed.
This having been said, there are some common warning signs and symptoms of teen depression that should be aware of, such as:
Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Unexplained headaches, muscle aches, or abdominal pains
Routine lack of energy, enthusiasm, and motivation
Difficulties concentrating
Restlessness and irritability
Acting out at, or skipping, school
A loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure
Sudden outbursts of hostility, anger, or violence
Taking part in risky, irresponsible behaviors
Frequent crying for no apparent reason
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
Withdrawal from some — but not necessarily all — family members and friends
Talking, joking, drawing, or expressing thoughts about suicide or death
Just because a teen exhibits one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean the teen is depressed. However, if your teen is experiencing two or more of these symptoms, if the symptoms are severe, or if the symptoms drag one for more than a couple of weeks, he or she may be struggling with depression and you should seek professional help.
Getting Help for Teens with Depression
If you suspect your teen is suffering from depression, the first thing you should do is talk with your teen about your concerns in a non-judgmental, loving way.
If your teen claims nothing is wrong or you’re unsure whether or not depression is the problem, you should trust your instincts. The worrisome behaviors and emotions exhibited by troubled teens are signs of a problem that needs to be addressed. Don’t wait around hoping that the problems will go away… seek professional help as soon as possible.
The first step to getting your teen the help he or she needs is to make an appointment with your family doctor. Your family physician should conduct a complete physical examination and depression screening in order to rule out any physical or medical causes for your teen’s symptoms.
If your doctor rules out any physical or medical reasons for your teen’s depression, it’s time to seek the assistance of a professional who specializes in treating teenage depression — usually a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Ask your physician and any other people you trust for a few referrals to mental health professionals who specialize in treating teens and adolescents.
Effectively Treating Teen Depression
Teen depression is most commonly and effectively treated using counseling, psychotherapy, medication, or some combination thereof.
Because there are a variety of treatment options available, you should do some homework and be prepared to discuss your son’s or daughter’s treatment options with several specialists before choosing the specialist and course of treatment that makes the most sense for your teen’s unique situation and needs.
If your teen is considered to be a suicide risk, they will likely require medication and/or observation until their symptoms are under control. That having been said, antidepressants occasionally come with unwanted side effects. Consequently, antidepressant usage should be closely monitored by a physician and should only be one part of an overall treatment plan.
In most cases of teen depression, individual counseling, group counseling, and family therapy have all been shown to be just as effective as medication at treating the underlying disorder. Unlike antidepressants, counseling and therapy can help your teen understand and resolve the root causes of his or her depression, learn appropriate self care and coping skills, improve their communication and self-esteem, and help them prevent depression’s resurgence later in life.
Unfortunately, many parents feel forced into treating their child’s depression with antidepressant medications rather than turning to counseling or psychotherapy, which are often seen as being more time-intensive or expensive.
However, various forms of individual teen counseling, group counseling, and family therapy have all been shown to be just as effective as medication at treating the symptoms of teen depression, without all the unwanted side effects.
And, unlike antidepressants, counseling and therapy can help your teen understand and resolve the root causes of his or her depression, improve their communication skills and self-esteem, and help them prevent depression’s resurgence later in life.
Regardless of the treatment provider and plan you choose, be sure to involve your teen in the decision-making process. Your teen is the one who will be working with specialist most closely and who is ultimately responsible for sticking with the treatment plan. If your teen is uncomfortable with a particular counselor, therapist, or treatment plan, treatment is unlikely to be successful.
If you have a teen in your life, it’s important that you learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and know where to turn for help. Teen depression can be an extremely serious, and even life-threatening, condition if left unaddressed. However, if treated appropriately, your teen will not only be able to overcome the symptoms of his or her depression but move forward again in life with confidence and optimism.
To learn more about teenage depression, visit Marianne Vernacchia’s website on family counseling in Los Gatos.