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Depression in Teens: How can parents help?

Depression is the most common worldwide mental illness. Being the most easily treated illness, depression is surmountable. When teens suffer from depression, parents need to know signs to look for to detect if their teen is having problems that are beyond the scope of average teenage experiences with self image, depression, anxiety, or alienation. Parents also need to have access to resources available to assist their teens who are suffering from depression.

Laurie Slothower in "Getting Help: Suicide and depression, what you need to know," highlights the following symptoms of depression:

1. Changes in appetite and weight
2. Sleeping too much or not sleeping at all
3. Inability to concentrate or becoming forgetful
4. Inability to take pleasure in things that used to be fun
5. Feeling overwhelmed by life
6. Sentiments of worthlessness and/or hopelessness

If these symptoms are noticed and a parent realizes that his/her teenager is experiencing overwhelming feelings of despair that last for more than two weeks, depression may be the cause. For immediate parental assistance, the following suggestions offered by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry are recommended:

1. Engage your teenager in a conversation that focuses on his/her feelings. Ask, "How are you feeling?" Inquire about the reasons why your child is depressed.
2. Identify whether or not your teenager is seriously depressed by asking probing questions: "Do you feel that there are answers or that there is an escape to the way you are feeling?"
3. Assess the degree of depression by inquiring: "On a scale of one to ten, how depressed do you feel?"
4. Prevent any immediate harm or further sentiments of depression by agreeing on a plan of action: "Are we in agreement that today you will do X, Y, or Z and that I will do A, B, and C?"

Early diagnosis is very crucial because parents need to be able to offer assistance and seek proper treatment for their teenager. If the milder symptoms of depression become a chronic disorder, teens may become irritable, moody, or experience severe moods of sadness or anger. Because depression is a real illness that requires professional assistance, obtaining medical advice is imperative. The American Academy of child an Adolescent Psychiatry points out further professional assistance includes cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, forms of individual therapy, and/or the use of antidepressant medication, which have proven to be effective means of treating depression. If a parent suspects that their child is suffering from depression, parents should seek immediate help from their physician who can refer to qualified mental health professionals.

Depression is a condition characterized by feelings of sorrow, misery, or despair. Teenagers with symptoms of depression need immediate attention from their parents and medical advice is of utmost importance. With immediate attention and proper care, helping teens overcome depression is achievable.

Resources for Parents and Teens:

Aacap.org
Afsp.org
Childre nssafetynetwork.org
Kidshealth. org
Teendepression.org
Youngwome nshealth.org

Learn more about this author, Lili Melton Ph.D..
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