Depression in teenagers

Is your child depressed?

Would you know if your teenager was depressed? It’s vital that you do because recent research suggests that adolescents who suffer from depression are more likely to have problems at school, develop eating disorders and start smoking, drinking or using illicit drugs.

Teens have a lot to deal with: studies, peer relationships, first love, trying to forge their own identity. It can make them moody and withdrawn to the extent that it’s all too tempting to let them hide in their bedrooms listening to the music of pain. But taking your eye off the ball could mean you miss signs that indicate your child could have deeper problems. Loss of interest in things that used to engage them, poor self-esteem, fatigue, problems concentrating, changes in eating habits, sadness and sleep problems can be red flags.

How depression can affect your child

Depressed children are more likely to have problems at school and poor academic results. It can trigger low self-esteem and low self-worth that can result in self-harm and eating disorders. Depressed teens are often more likely to try to escape online but this just adds to their isolation. They may also be tempted to cigarettes or other harmful substances to help them cope. Teens suffering from depression are 60% more likely to smoke, 35% more likely to use alcohol, and twice as likely to turn to illicit drugs of abuse pain relief medication than teens who aren’t depressed. And most alarmingly, depression puts your teen at risk of suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suicide is the third highest cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the suicide rate is higher among those involved in substance abuse.

Talking to your depressed teen

It’s vital you try to be non-judgmental when talking to your teenager about your concerns, but let him know you are concerned about how he’s behaving and make it clear why you’re worried.

• Be supportive Let your child know you’re there for him when he wants to talk and that you won’t judge him, but don’t bombard him with questions or he may feel overwhelmed.
• Be persistent it may take a while before your child feels comfortable enough to open up about what he’s feeling and why. He may find it difficult to express exactly what’s on his mind and may worry that you will be angry with him. If your teen closes the door on communication don’t be put off if your heart is telling you something is wrong and don’t give him the impression you’ve lost interest.
• Be a listener Once he’s ready to talk let him get it off his chest without constantly interrupting his attempt to communicate with you. Don’t criticize his feelings.
• Be understanding Don’t dismiss how your child is feeling even if his problems seem trivial to you. Teenagers feel things very deeply and even if his issues pale in comparison to your fears and anxieties, they mean a great deal to him. Take him seriously and acknowledge the pain he’s feeling.

Getting help

Your pediatrician or family physician can screen your child for depression – be sure to fully inform them about the symptoms you’ve noticed. If there is a history of depression or mental illness in your family, tell the doctor. He’ll check for possible physical reasons that might be causing your child’s symptoms as well as asking about other things (such as alcohol and drug use) that might be contributory factors. You may be referred to a mental health specialist who’s experienced in treating adolescents.

 

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