Depression

When your teenager appears stuck in the throes of depression as a parent it may seem like an overwhelming experience. Teen depression has become so common that it is now a greater threat to a teenager’s development than are eating disorders.

This guide will help you identify symptoms and develop a treatment plan to best meet your adolescents specific needs.

Key Takeaways

• Teenage depression is a major health problem which will significantly affect almost all aspects of a teenager’s life (ability to perform daily functions and ability to experience happiness). Early detection of teenage depression symptoms, and awareness of symptoms is also important for developing an appropriate plan for treatment.

• Individualized treatment for teenagers with depression involves addressing their specific symptomatology, their medical history, and their own personal preferences. Examples of treatments for teenagers with depression include psychotherapy, medications such as SSRIs, changing their lifestyle habits, and using holistic methods.

• Parental involvement and support for teenagers with depression is crucial in establishing a supportive environment which provides a sense of safety, understanding, and empowerment for the teenager to become involved in the development of their treatment plans.

• It is vital for there to be collaboration among parents, mental health care providers, and educators in order to successfully manage depression in adolescents. Each of these groups contribute to providing ongoing emotional support, and employing various techniques that address the needs of the young person.

• As adolescents continue to develop and change over time it is important for ongoing evaluation and adjustment of treatment plans to occur. The flexibility in treatment enables healthcare providers to make timely adjustments to accommodate growth and change, while also maintaining the active participation of the teenager in their own recovery.

Understanding Teenage Depression: A Deeper Insight

Teenage depression is more than just the usual ups and downs you’ll see at this stage of life. It affects every area of a teenager’s life — including their ability to perform daily tasks — and interferes with their ability to enjoy anything.

In contrast to adults, who know what resources are available to them if they’re struggling, teenagers will frequently experience depression in silence, without being able to communicate their emotions or find the support they need.

Identifying depression in teenagers can be difficult for parents since many of the signs of depression (such as mood swings) can be related to “growing pains” or “teenage angst”. When a teenager experiences persistent sadness, withdraws from social events, experiences declining academic performance, changes in sleep and/or eating habits, etc. — it may be more than just an emotional phase.

Identifying Symptoms of Teen Depression

Identifying early warning signs of depression allows for timely intervention. Identifying early warning signs of depression will likely lead to positive long-term outcomes for young adults.

Here are some common indicators of depression in teens:

• Consistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness. Often one of the earliest signs of depression in teens, teens may appear downcast or consistently say they feel hopeless.
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Teens may quickly lose interest in things they previously enjoyed. This lack of interest may be indicative of a depressed state.
• Weight gain/loss and/or eating habits. Teens who experience significant weight gain/weight loss or an unusual change in their eating habits (eating less, eating more) without a clear reason may be experiencing depression.
• Disrupted sleep patterns. Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little), whether insomnia or hypersomnia, are very common with mood disorders.
• Increased irritability/restlessness. While increased irritability or agitation in teens is commonly misdiagnosed as “just being moody,” it can actually be an indicator of clinical depression.
• Constant fatigue/lack of energy. If your teen appears consistently fatigued and lacks the energy they had before, this may be a sign of a potential underlying mental health condition.
• Extreme feelings of worthlessness/guilt. Teens may express excessive guilt for a variety of reasons or claim to be unworthy. These expressions may be related to the need for psychological counseling.
• Difficulty concentrating. Trouble concentrating while working on assignments at school or participating in conversations may be related to other mental health conditions such as depression.
• Frequent unexplained physical complaints. Teens who frequently complain of pain or discomfort that cannot be medically explained may be suffering from a psychiatric illness such as depression.
• Avoidance of family/friends. Teens who suddenly prefer to isolate themselves and avoid social interactions may be experiencing emotional distress.

Differentiating Between Mood Disorders in Teenagers

A large number of teens who exhibit depression symptoms do so as a result of other than clinical depression. Many other mood disorders exist and though they may present with similar symptoms to depression, each has its own unique approach to treatment. Major depression is a serious depression that is defined as feelings of sadness and loss of interest that last longer than two weeks. Major depression is just one type of depression, and there are many others such as bipolar disorder – an unstable mood that can fluctuate wildly between mania and depression. There also exists dysthymia – a mild but chronic version of depression.

For this reason, it is essential that parents have knowledge of the various types of mood disorders that occur in teens, including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). This is a rare disorder characterized by very violent and/or aggressive behavior. DMDD can often times look like normal teenager tantrums but are much worse. Teens can also be diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a condition that occurs when women experience mood swings during the menstrual cycle. Cyclothymic disorder is another type of depression that causes low mood and high mood swings, but the moods are not as severe as those experienced in bipolar disorder.

Because each of these disorders has a different set of characteristics, the treatment options will vary greatly. For example, if your teen is experiencing a major depressive episode, Fluoxetine (Prozac) may be prescribed. If your teen has been diagnosed with DMDD, a completely different set of treatments may be needed. The same applies to someone diagnosed with PMDD or cyclothymic disorder. In order to receive the most effective treatment plan possible, it is recommended that you consult with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist who uses evidence based diagnostic criteria to determine the correct diagnosis using resources such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Understanding the Causes and Contributing Factors

Teenage depression is caused by a number of interconnected elements. The genetic element can be very important as well. If a teen has relatives who have been depressed or have had some type of psychological issue, this can increase the likelihood that they will become depressed.

Additionally, many of the chemical processes occurring within the brain can contribute to depression, which are largely due to the biological, physiological (hormonal), and emotional changes that occur with adolescents. Social influences, including being bullied, socially isolated, or feeling disconnected from peers, etc., can further exacerbate an adolescent’s emotional state.

Furthermore, environmental factors can greatly impact the development of a teenager’s mind. Exposure to violence, abuse, or experiencing a traumatic event, as well as stress at home, can significantly affect an adolescent’s developing mind. Also, adolescents dealing with a serious medical condition, such as a chronic illness, may negatively affect their self-esteem and cause them to feel powerless.

Understanding these causes is important for parents to understand how to support their child throughout the treatment process for depression, and to find a clinical treatment that will address the numerous causes of their teen’s distress.

Teen Therapy 101: What Every Parent Should Know

Teen therapy is a difficult landscape to navigate, yet understanding the basic concepts will help parents make an educated decision about their teenager’s mental health. A therapist is an adult who provides a safe environment for your teenager to discuss and work through their emotions and thoughts.

There are many forms of psychotherapy, each providing a form of support based on the type of issue your teenager may be experiencing. Some forms of psychotherapy may be used to manage the symptoms of severe depression. Other forms may provide support in working through interpersonal issues such as communication, conflict resolution and other social issues. Additionally, some forms of psychotherapy provide adolescents with healthy ways to develop and cope with stress.

When looking for a therapist, you need to consider two things. First, does the therapist have training in child and adolescent psychiatry? Second, has the therapist worked extensively with teenagers?

Research indicates that early intervention with effective treatment of depression in adolescents results in better long-term outcomes. Therefore, when searching for a therapist for your teenager, look for a therapist that uses evidence-based therapies. Evidence-based therapies are treatments that are supported by scientific study and/or clinical trials. Examples of evidence-based therapies include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Family-Based Treatment.

Involving the Adolescent in the Decision-Making Process

Encouraging your teenager to take an active part in developing their treatment plan for their depression will promote responsibility and ownership of their own mental health journey. As long as your adolescent feels that he/she is not simply a recipient of information and assistance, but rather a participant in combating the challenges of depression, there will be a sense of empowerment and motivation that will enhance his/her self-esteem, increase his/her confidence and aid in the management of their symptoms.

When your adolescent is involved in discussions regarding options available to him/her to manage their depression such as attending weekly therapy sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist or being considered for medication, such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) and when your adolescent is kept up-to-date, there will be increased engagement by your adolescent in their treatment.

The approach of involving your adolescent in their treatment process not only includes your adolescent, but also provides your adolescent with the necessary tools to make healthy choices and decisions concerning their health into adulthood. When developing a plan to guide and support your adolescent in managing depressive disorders, as parents you need to find a balance between offering guidance and autonomy. By giving your adolescent space to express themselves while providing supportive structures, you can assist your adolescent in navigating the complex issues related to teenage depression.

While working with your adolescent to develop a plan to manage their depressive disorders, consider that your role as a parent is crucial.

Role of Parents and Professionals in Navigating Teenage Depression

Parents and professionals are vital to helping adolescents navigate the maze of depression. Together, they are able to create a supportive atmosphere that will aid in healing, but also provide adolescents with the ability to develop coping mechanisms to deal with their mental health challenges.

Parents’ and professionals’ synergy are key to creating a healthy and healing environment for adolescents. Both parties understand that there are many ways to address mental health challenges, and can work together to ensure that adolescents are developing healthy habits and strategies to cope with their challenges.

Understanding Teen Depression

Teenage depression is a serious mental illness that impacts thousands of families and millions of adolescents. Every year thousands of American adolescents receive a clinical depression diagnosis. The alarming rise in the number of adolescents diagnosed with depression is a call for awareness and education for parents.

Adolescent depression is not simply a case of being in a “bad” mood, or experiencing “hormonal changes.” Adolescent depression can have serious effects on a young person’s life including, but not limited to: poor school performance, dangerous behaviors, and increased risk of suicide.

There are multiple factors that contribute to teen depression. These include genetic components, chemical imbalances within the brain, and environmental stressors, such as excessive social media use, pressure to perform academically, etc. Understanding what leads to teen depression is the first step to recognizing when a young person is suffering from depression. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression in adolescents allows for timely interventions and ultimately, better outcomes.

Identifying Symptoms of Depression

As you begin to identify potential symptoms of depression in your adolescent remember to differentiate those symptoms from typical adolescent anxiety. It is common for adolescents to struggle with some degree of anxiety. However, if you notice persistent changes in your adolescent’s behavior or mood, it is possible that he/she/they may be suffering from depression.

Support for Your Depressed Teenager

Once you have recognized that your adolescent is struggling with depression, providing adequate support is critical. Creating a supportive and caring environment for your depressed adolescent is one of the most important steps towards helping him/her/they recover from depression. Parents are typically the primary source of support for adolescents. Therefore, creating a safe space for your adolescent to express their feelings and thoughts is critical.

Active listening and unconditional positive regard (acceptance) are two of the best tools to establish a sense of safety with your adolescent. Additionally, refraining from making judgments regarding your adolescent’s feelings is also helpful. When adolescents feel judged, they tend to become less open and honest about their struggles. Trust needs to be built with your adolescent in order for them to feel safe enough to share their struggles with you.

Support also extends beyond emotional validation. Once you and your adolescent decide on a course of action, actively seeking out professional help is recommended. Involving your adolescent in all aspects of treatment planning is highly beneficial. Researching treatment options together and discussing them with a therapist provides a healthy outlet for both you and your adolescent to explore the possibilities of treatment.

Tailoring the Treatment Plan to the Individual’s Needs

Not all teens experience depression in the same way, and therefore no two teens will have the same treatment strategy. In this regard, the idea of tailoring treatment for adolescents as suggested by Dr. Adekemi Oguntala from TheTeenDoc makes sense.

When developing a treatment plan for a teen, a clinician may need to take into account the teen’s specific symptomatology, the teen’s previous exposure to depressive episodes and/or other mental health conditions and the teen’s own preference regarding how they wish to receive treatment.

There are many ways clinicians can develop successful treatment plans; for example, the teen may benefit from clinical psychology sessions or alternative forms of treatment that relate more to the teen. Ultimately, the purpose of combining these treatment approaches is to provide adolescents with a comprehensive method of treating both the biological components of depression, as well as those components that cannot be treated medically (i.e., psychological).

Seeking Professional Help: When and How?

Recognizing the appropriate time to seek support for your teen’s depression is a fundamental component of their healing journey. Use the following as a resource to find out how to properly begin and engage in this process.

Developing A Customized Treatment Plan For Your Teen

A customized treatment plan for your teen’s depression could be developed with a team of professionals including psychiatrists that specialize in developing and maintaining medication.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have dramatically impacted the way clinicians treat major depressive disorders and are likely to be beneficial when used in conjunction with some type of psychological intervention. The correct treatment plan should take into account all factors of your child’s depression – the level of intensity, what your child likes/ dislikes, and whether or not there are any secondary medical issues.

The use of psychologists/social workers may provide the opportunity for you to learn about evidence-based talk therapies that would be appealing to your adolescent. Not only does this create a plan for symptom management, but it provides your child with strategies to develop a sense of resiliency and improve their ability to cope during times of adversity for years to come.

Consider the specific needs of your teen. While many different treatment options exist, not all will be beneficial for every teen. Consider using either the traditional or alternative medicine approaches depending on your child’s individual circumstances.

Selecting Appropriate Clinics & Professionals

It is imperative that you choose a reputable clinic or professional to ensure that your teen receives the most effective treatment for their depression. Search for clinicians who have a strong background of specializing in mental health and treating adolescents.

The clinicians that fit these criteria include psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed therapists. These professionals have been trained to assess and manage the complexity of mental health issues associated with being an adolescent. Verify that each clinician has a valid license to practice, and look for peer recognition through associations like the Institute of Psychiatry in London or similar organizations.

When you partner with a trusted professional, it is much more likely that your child’s treatment plan will be both constructed professionally and consistently monitored over time. Regular appointments with the clinician will allow them to continually assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan. If needed, the clinician will be able to make adjustments to the treatment plan to maximize the potential for success in the recovery of your child.

The Importance of Continuous Monitoring and Adjustments

Treating teenage depression effectively depends upon being able to detect positive change and react appropriately. Monitoring a teenager continuously will allow you to see how they are progressing, recognize when they are experiencing problems (or a relapse) before it becomes a problem for them and allow you to make appropriate changes to your treatment plan.

Proactive approaches to managing the depressive symptoms associated with adolescents, and preventing long-term complications, have been shown to be successful. Frequent contact with mental health professionals will allow you to modify your treatment plan, as the adolescent grows and develops.

Modifications to your treatment may involve changing the dosage of medication, adding new ways to cope, etc. As you know, teenagers grow and develop rapidly, and what works today may not work tomorrow. It is important to have a flexible treatment plan.

When you engage the adolescent in the treatment planning process, you give them the opportunity to feel a sense of control over their recovery, and reinforce the need for them to continually reflect on their emotions, and be honest with themselves and others regarding their emotional state.

Having continuous contact with professionals at reputable treatment centers, will ensure that your treatment plan remains current and consistent with the most recent research from such institutions as the Institute of Psychiatry, London or the University of New South Wales.

Coping Mechanisms and Support for Parents and Guardians

Parenting a teenager who is suffering from depression can be difficult. Finding effective methods to help you manage the strain of caring for your child and yourself is important.

Practicing self-care through physical activity, mindfulness (meditation), or other hobbies can greatly help reduce the amount of stress you are feeling. Another great resource to consider could be a parent support group for families of teenagers experiencing depression. A parent support group will give you new ideas and tools to help you cope with your day-to-day struggles.

It is also important to build a network of people who can support you such as friends, family, or counseling services for caregivers. Getting into some form of therapy whether it is individual, or as a family may help all parties develop healthy communication skills and provide resources to make positive changes to relationships when they are struggling.

Remembering to keep a routine and schedule in place, along with finding time to do things that bring you happiness and joy, will help protect you from burnout as you travel down this road together with your teenager.

Educators’ Role in Supporting Treatment

Many teachers and other educators work directly with adolescents every day. As such, many educators have an opportunity to identify behavioral trends or patterns that could be indicative of depression in teenagers.

Educators, as the first line of contact for a large number of teenagers, are positioned to begin early intervention. If an educator believes there is a potential problem with one of their students’ mental health, it would be appropriate for the educator to refer the student for further evaluation.

In addition to being able to develop and implement individualized and tailored educational strategies to meet the needs of each depressed teenager in their class, educators can also serve as liaisons to families and mental health professionals. In this role, educators can facilitate collaboration among all involved parties. The goal of this collaboration is to create a consistent environment across both the school and family settings. This consistency is key to supporting the child’s recovery from depression.

Conclusion

Teen Depression is a journey. The road will be long and hard. Patience, Understanding and a Toolbox of Resources are all you have.

Parents can make a huge difference in their child’s life by being aware of Teen Depression and seeking Professional Help when necessary. Together with Health Professionals and Educators, parents create a Support System to surround a teenager who has been diagnosed with Depression. Every Step taken in Diagnosing and Treating Teen Depression helps create a Pathway to Recovery for our Teens.