Teen Depression Warning:
It Often Goes Unnoticed!
Madison, a 17 y.o. in Raleigh, N.C., suffered with teen depression but it went undiagnosed because she thought it was just typical moodswings.
"For weeks at a time I'd feel so sad that I would wish that something bad would happen to me, like getting hit by a car, so I wouldn't have to deal with my life anymore".
In Cleveland, O.H., a 14 year old, stated.....
"I was usually very outgoing but eventually I simply wanted to just shut myself in my room and avoid everyone. I didn't have any interest in all the things I used to love".
Does any of this sound familiar? Teenage depressive disorders are is very common, effecting over 2 million each year and 5,000 of them leading to suicide. The sad thing is that there are treatment options available, even for depressed teenagers. The trick is learning to recognize the symptoms in teens and not simply write it off as typical teenage behavior.
Whether you are a teenager or a parent reading this, it's important to understand the signs of teenage depression, teen depression statistics, and the causes of teen depression, so that you can determine the right course of action.
It is important that, if the teen is depressed he/she gets treatment as soon as possible. If the teenage depressive disorder is left untreated it can lead to many other things such as poor performance in school, alcohol/drug abuse and addiction, eating disorders, self inflicted wounds, violent behavior, and of course suicide.
What Treatment Options Exist?
First and foremost, its important to talk to your family doctor and/or a mental health specialist and weigh out all your options. Teen depression is treatable and there are many treatment options available.
Therapy
While there are many different kinds of therapy such as cognitive behavioral, rational emotive, etc. studies have found both talk and group therapy to be very effective in teens. In addition, many times teen depressive disorders are impacted by the family dynamics so family therapy is highly recommended as well.
When considering therapy, interview the mental health professionals to make sure they are a good match. In many cases, teens respond to someone of the same gender, for instance. And, of course, choose someone with a background dealing with clinically depressed teens.
Another route to consider are family services offered in your community such as support groups and courses.
Depression Medication
Anti-depressants for teens is a controversial subject. Most were tesetd were tested on adults because teenagers are still developing their brains. As a result, it is not typically recommended that a teenager go on medications unless its absolutely necessary. Instead treat it with therapy first as it is very effective.
Also, it's important to note that antidepressant medications may actually make the symptoms worse in a teen. Instead of feeling better, teens may feel more violent, have more suicidal thoughts and are more irritable that before they started the meds.
Summary
Teen depression is at an all time high because it is often misdiagnosed or written off as "typical teenage behavior". As a result, so many teens are going untreated when they don't have to. Talk to a professional about your treatment options and put together a plan to get through it. Depression, even in, teens is very treatable, there is hope and options out there. Seek the options that are best suited for you.
Related Articles and Information
Depression Among Teenagers: A Huge Dilemma
Staggering Statistics on Childhood Depression
Adolescent Depression Treatment Study
