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Depression In Teens - Advice for Parents
Genuine clinical depression isn't always easy to diagnose in adults, yet detecting depression in teens can be much harder. Teenagers are already likely to go through a certain degree of mood swings as they deal with the onset and settling in of puberty. Yet if they're also suffering from anxiety disorders or other problems related to depression, then you may not easily distinguish those from a more normal moroseness or occasional bad moods. You may not be able to tell whether they need treatment for real depression or if their gloom could be dispelled with something that's relatively more simple.
How can you discern whether your teen simply feels "blue" occasionally, or has full-blown depression and might need medical attention? If your teen's gloomy moods aren't balanced out by more positive things like good friends, interests and hobbies, or a generally good school experience, then these may be warning signs. Depression in teens can manifest in lack of self-esteem, isolation and lack of concentration. And of course, if there is any talk of suicide, or any of these symptoms last for more than three weeks, you may need to find a depression treatment center.
You need to first see a therapist who will help you find the real problem. Your child might have an anxiety disorder or he might be facing some external difficulties which are troubling him or even both together. Giving him psychotherapy along with antidepressants might be one of the best treatments. If the depression is also associated with other disorders like anorexia or bulimia, then going to a mental health treatment center would prove more beneficial. The center would be able to provide help for all the multiple problems and at the same time deal with the after effects of antidepressants which sometimes cause an increase in suicidal tendencies instead of taking care of them.
Depression in teens is usually very treatable, especially when it's diagnosed early. This doesn't entirely prevent about 50% of them from having further depression problems in their adult life, yet effective treatment does result in the other 50% of teens being free from any further depressive episodes. Even for those who may experience it again, having received the best treatments and counseling as teenagers will equip them to manage it much more successfully as adults.
Further information concerning depression in teens
Symptoms and Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder
Depression Treatment - Choosing the Best Treatment Option!