What to Do if You Think Your Teen Has Depression

The teen years are fraught with changes that are stressful for kids, and this is the time when many mood disorders begin to show obvious symptoms. While teen mental health issues are gaining more recognition, it is also common for parents to be unsure of how to proceed once they suspect that their teen has depression. Now that you have concerns about your teen’s mental health, you can take these steps to help them get the treatment they need to feel better.

Open Up a Dialogue

The signs of depression in teens can sometimes be caused by other things, like teen stress and anxiety. For instance, a drop in your teen’s grades could be due to a challenging course load, or it could be because they lack interest in studying. Take note of the things that you witness that make you suspect depression, and set aside some time to talk to your teen about how they feel. Keep in mind, however, that your teen may not be forthcoming even if they are depressed. This could be due to embarrassment, or they may just think that their feelings are normal. In this case, you will need to take action to get them help on your own.

Seek Counseling

Depression and other mood disorders require professional help to learn how to cope with the underlying causes. While some teens may undergo a period of depression after a breakup or move to a new place, others have deeper reasons for their mood disorder that must be treated by a professional who is trained in helping people with depression. If you suspect substance abuse to be involved, places like https://sbtreatment.com provide counseling and treatment services for both. Set your child up with an appointment to talk to a professional counselor as soon as possible. While some teens may resist the idea, they typically come around once they see how there are people who just want to help.

Watch Out for Negative Behaviors

Teens who have a mood disorder sometimes try to mask their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol. For this reason, you need to be alert for the signs of substance abuse in teens such as joining a new social group or having trouble in school. A teen who is using drugs or alcohol may also begin to exhibit secretive behavior such as taking out their own trash or being vague about where they are going. If you notice the signs of substance abuse, then you must take action right away to prevent them from developing a full-blown addiction.

Avoid Assigning Blame

A teenager with depression is often difficult to deal with as a parent since their negative behaviors impact everyone. Although you can’t let them get away with everything, you also want to avoid making the problem worse by accusing them of being lazy or a bad kid. Instead, use positive language and offer to help them manage their daily responsibilities while they work through treatment. This helps to preserve your child’s self-esteem so they are in a better mindset for learning how to cope when they attend therapy.

Depression and other mood disorders are particularly challenging for teens since they lack the coping skills to work through negative emotions. When you suspect depression or another type of disorder, be sure to reach out for help to prevent it from having a negative impact on their life. With time, patience, and professional counseling, your teen can move past this challenge and life a full and successful life.