Adolescence is a difficult time for teenagers and parents. Teenagers Often times, teenagers go through a lot of changes with their bodies, emotionally and mentally but not certain how they are feeling. Teenagers are seen as moody individuals which can be seen as normal due to puberty. They are sometimes snippy in their responses, pulling away from their parents, rebellious, a poor attitude and can be completely isolative/or shut down. Sometimes mood changes can be a normal part of adolescence but mood changes can be a precursor of depression.
The two types of depression that are often diagnosed in teenagers. Major depressive disorders and Persistent Depressive Disorder which was formerly known as Dysthymia. Major depressive disorder is when a child has symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, Persistent Depressive Disorder is milder but can last for more than 2 years. Depression can cause sadness, feelings of emptiness, lack of interest and enjoyment, lack of motivation, low energy, isolation and problems with concentration, it can have a negative impact on relationships and school. This in turn, can cause low self esteem which can further bring their mood down.
It is normal for teenagers to have ups and downs but depression is a serious mental health issue that can lead to other serious issues. Untreated depression can be devastating to a teen’s emotional, mental and physical health. Changes in teenagers might get overlooked or passed off as a teenager being a teenager but when it starts to impact their level of functioning or daily routines then it should be a red flag. Missed signs of depression can mirror normal behavior during teenage years, so it can be pretty difficult to decipher between what is actually a warning sign of depression opposed to normal development.
Some warning signs to watch out for are:
-Changes in mood and emotions- extreme sadness, feelings of hopelessness, anger or irritability, restlessness, agitation, feelings of worthlessness
-Changes in behavior- use of drugs, poor school performance, risky behaviors, eating and disinterested things they found interesting, tech addiction, isolation and sleep disturbances.
-Physical changes-weight gain or loss, complaints about aches and pains, inability to rest.
-Suicidal thoughts-dwelling or talking about death is a red flag for suicide thoughts or attempts.
-Self harming behaviors-noticing that they are dressed in inappropriate clothing for the season, not showing arms or legs as often as they did, unexplainable marks or cuts on their body.
Parents during this time might not know what to do or may downplay what their child is experiencing but it is important to note that depression does not go away or clear up on its own. Depression is a complex disease that can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental factors. Depression is not something that you can treat yourself, it requires professional treatment. Parents who think something has changed should trust their gut, listen without responding or threatening their child, downplay what is going on as normal, support their child during this time and get them help.
Early treatment is important to head off long-term effects of depression. The most common treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is aimed at changing the negative thinking the teen is caught in. It teaches kids ways of noticing and changing upsetting emotions. Antidepressant medication can be added to therapy. The combination often works better than either treatment separately. Niyyah Counseling PLLC, https://www.niyyahcounselingpllc.com/our-team, has a team of therapists who offer free 15 minutes consultations to better understand your needs. If you need assistance don’t delay, call today.