Learn - Page 4 of 7 - Parents of Depressed Teens

Teen signs of suicide

February 23, 2016 By Kay Walker

Teen suicide warnings | danger

If you aren’t familiar with the staggering rates of depressed teens and suicides happening each year, take a moment to read these stats before your read about the warning signs below:

At least 25% of teenagers in North America this year will suffer from varying degrees of teen depression.
24% of U.S. high school students have seriously thought about attempting suicide.
The ratio of suicide attempts to suicide death in youth is estimated to be about 25:1.
More males than females are successful (by a factor of 4 because they use guns over pills).

Teens who share that they’ve had suicidal thoughts need support immediately. Having those types of thoughts suggests that they are dealing with some life challenges or emotional struggles. If they do not get the relief they are seeking and the situation gets worse, they may start to seriously consider suicide as an option.

Parents of teens should act immediately if they notice any of the following signs:

Major suicide warning signs

Talking about wanting to committing suicide. The more your teen says they want to die the more they mean it. Do not leave them alone. Get help immediately by calling your local crisis support line or going to the emergency room.
Researching suicide. Online parental controls are available for monitoring Internet action. If you see searches that suggest searching for ways to commit suicide you should consider this a state of crisis. Your teen needs help right away.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live. Teens are in an in-between stage of life where many have not figured out what they want to do in their adult life. Having a reason to get up in the morning is crucial for overall happiness levels. If you’re teen feels hopeless try and start to guide them towards learning more about themselves and what they want to accomplish in life. This may help them start to get excited about their life and improve their mood.
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain. Many teens struggle with life situations and emotions but have not yet learned the skills of how to overcome simple challenges. They may communicate this by saying things like “I don’t know what to do” or “my life is over”. Assist your teen in learning how to take action to get themselves out of tough situations.
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs. Abusing substances can often end your teen in the emergency room as a suicide attempt or they may be successful. A depressed teen heightens their risk of suicide when they drink. They may not seriously intend to die but it may happen. Keep tabs on your teens whereabouts.
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated. The numbers of teens that don’t communicate and isolate themselves from family members and friends is high. If your teen has trouble communicate seek help immediately.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Art that displays themes of death.
Running away from home.

Medical and mental illnesses where depression is a symptom

February 23, 2016 By Kay Walker

Here’s a list of medical and mental illnesses (in alphabetical order) where depression occurs as a symptom. If you’re teen seems depressed or is suicidal their may have another issue you may not have considered. This is why it is always important to see a General Practitioner/Family Doctor. They will be able to rule out any other underlying medical concerns that could be related to your depressed mood.

This list has basic descriptions. If you are concerned you may have one of these illnesses you’ll want to do more of your own research, as well as, consult a trained medical professional.

Medical and mental illnesses where depression is a symptom:

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by having extreme mood swings that fluctuate between depression and mania. When you feel depressed you have low energy, you feel hopeless and unhappy and have difficulty with daily activities. This depressed mood fluctuates with mania. During mania you may feel completely euphoric. You’re likely highly productive, and full of energy. Or, you may be completely impulsive and do things like gamble, party and have a lot of sex. There are different types of bipolar and each has different characteristics.

Borderline personality disorder

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) suffer from a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image and emotions. They are commonly considered unstable by friends and family members. Their moods fluctuate often and they have a tendency to say things that hurt people’s feelings. They often have a unhealthy self-image, which is related to unhealthy social interactions early in life. Some people with BPD exhibit impulsive and destructive self-injurious behaviors, like: Cutting themselves, attempting suicide and have lots of casual sex.

Brain tumor

Depending on where a brain tumor is situated it may affect an individual’s mood and personality. An individual with a brain tumor will often start to act completely different from their past behaviors.

Eating disorders

The types of eating disorders are:

Anorexia – starvation behaviors
Bullemia – cycles of eating and purging the body of food
Binge eating – starving and then consuming large amounts of food in a short amount of time

While each type of eating disorder has different behaviors associated, they are all connected to unhealthy perceptions and relationships with food, weight and body image.

Fibromyalgia

Doctors don’t have a clear understanding of what causes fibromyalgia. Though, many researchers believe it’s a problem with the way the brain deals with pain signals. Individuals who suffer from it deal with widespread pain that can occur in the neck, shins, elbows, lower back, hips and knees. Pain and stiffness can be worse in the morning. Individuals with fibromyalgia often experience fatigue, trouble sleeping or concentrating, or have frequent headaches.

Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder where the pituitary glands (an gland found in the brain that secretes hormones into the blood) don’t make enough hormones that are necessary in bodily functions of: Growth, metabolism, and sexual development. It’s often caused by brain tumors, head injuries, or infections.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland can’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyrod gland affects how the body produces energy. The result of low thyroid is a slowing of body processes. Weight gain, fatigue and low mood.

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease (that doctors do not completely understand). The body attacks healthy tissue in different ways. Symptoms are: Severe exhaustion, joint pain, and a “butterfly rash” on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Individuals with lupus may have mild symptoms, while some will develop life-threatening versions of the disease that attack the the kidneys and other organs. Symptoms come and go frequently. They can clear up entirely, disappear from months to years and return again.

Obesity

Individuals with excess weight often suffer from depression. What is less clear whether it’s depression or weight gain that happens first. Eitherway, depression and weight gain go hand-in-hand. Trouble managing food and urges, increased appetite coupled with reduced activity and weight gain can lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. One recent study found that overall, obese individuals have a 20 percent elevated risk of depression.

Pick’s disease

Pick’s disease is a rare type of dementia that affects areas of the brain. It is similar in nature to Alzhiemers. Though, it has a more major affect on mood and behavior. It often runs in families. It starts between the ages of 40-60. Once symptoms start it takes usually 2-10 years for an individual with Pick’s to become fully disabled.

Porphyria

Porphyria is a rare genetic condition that affects the skin and nerves. It’s caused by low enzyme levels that prevent the body from making an essential protein in red blood cells. Without it, destructive chemicals build up in the blood and cause damage.

Postpartum

Many new mothers experience the “baby blues” within the first two weeks-four weeks after giving birth. Doctors suggest that all mothers are susceptible to it anytime within the first year of the baby’s life. New mothers deal with major life changes, sometimes loneliness, dealing with new fears, and changes in hormone and lack of sleep. But, postpartum depression is more severe and long-lasting. It occurs when the depression last longer than two weeks. Symptoms are: Sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, loss of energy, loss of interest in things, guilt, changes in appetite, and insomnia. Sometimes a woman may experience negative feelings about her baby or thoughts of harming her child. In rare cases, postpartum psychosis can occur and the woman will experience delusions of hallucinations. Symptoms that last for more than two weeks or even up to a week should be addressed immediately to prevent unnecessary harm to the mother or baby from occurring.

PTSD

Post traumatic stress disorder is delayed anxiety disorder that occurs 6 months to one year after an event. It can happens commonly to individuals who suffer from a dangerous or traumatic experiences, such as a war, natural disaster, abuse, assault, or accident. Many individuals who have PTSD experience flashbacks, bad dreams about the event or have difficulty sleeping. They may also feel agitated, guilty, depressed, or emotionally numb. Individuals with PTSD may avoid people or things that remind them of the event.

Premenstral Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome where a woman experience major mood fluctuations that interfere with her ability to do regular activities. It occurs immediately before menstruation and often goes away during her period. It can cause a women to be severely depressed, or irritable. The causes are not fully known, but hormonal changes and fluctuation of the brain chemical serotonin may play a part.

Premenstral syndrome (PMS)

PMS is a common condition that affects many women during the two weeks prior to their period. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Generally, they include such things as bloating, irritability, fatigue, breast swelling and tenderness, and depressed mood. The mood may be slightly distressing but will not interfere with a woman’s ability to carry out regular activities.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic mental illness. People who have schizophrenia often hear voices, see things that aren’t there, or believe that the world is plotting against them. It can occur between the teen years and age 40. Doctors don’t understand exactly what causes schizophrenia, but it can run in families. It can also be brought on through regular substance abuse that over time causes changes in brain chemistry. There is no cure for schizophrenia. Therapy and medications can help treat symptoms and many people can live happy lives with this illness.

Substance Abuse

Mood is highly affected mental drinking alcohol or taking drugs, (including some prescription drugs). While a substance will bring a mood up and make an individual feel better immediately after taking in, it also brings their mood down further as the substance wheres off. The symptoms are the same as depression or mania: depressed mood, lack of interest in activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, sleep problems, talkativeness, distractedness, or suicidal thoughts.

SAD

Seasonal depression, or SAD, is depression that occurs every year during a change of season. SAD can cause problems ranging from sadness and sleep problems to anxiety and moodiness. SAD is most common in fall and winter when the weather turns cold, people spend more time indoors and they weather can be grey and rainy. In this case, symptoms will improve during spring and summer months. In rare cases, people have SAD in spring and summer and their symptoms improve in the fall. Doctors are unclear what causes said. It could be related to light, hormones, lack of vitamin D from the sun or changes in body temperature. SAD is treated with light therapy, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.

If you feel depressed your first step is to get a diagnosis and rule out all other issues that could be affecting your mood. And, most importantly, make sure you take small daily actions to live a great life that you love to wake up.

The difference between depression and sadness

February 23, 2016 By Kay Walker

The word “depression” is one of the most commonly misused words in the english language. People use it incorrectly when they are trying to explain feeling sad. But sadness and depression are two very different things. Below, each is defined and key differences are highlighted to help illustrate how sadness and depression differ.

As a parent with a depressed teen, it’s crucial you recognize the difference. It can be difficult making the distinction when you’re teen is shut down and doesn’t communicate well.

Understanding the difference between depression and sadness

Sadness defined:

SADNESS is a normal human emotion that is characterized by a state (or states) of feeling unhappy. It is not constant, meaning it comes and goes. One moment you can feel sad, an hour later after being with a friend you may feel happy.

Being sad is a healthy response to unpleasant life events. It’s valuable because it can help you decipher what you want or don’t want. It also helps you feel and understand the reverse emotional state, which is happiness.

Sadness occurs in frequency on a scale that ranges from brief and fleeting moments of sad feelings to severe lengthy periods related to major life traumas. For example, the death of a loved one can make you feel sad for months.

Depression defined:

DEPRESSION is a medical condition that affects mood. It’s unclear what specifically causes it, though experts agree it is a physical issue where a variety of factors related to both internal and external processes lead to a neurological chemical imbalance. The most current research suggests that individuals with depression have a 25% smaller brain region for regulating emotion (called the hippocampus).

It is often difficult for individuals who have not experienced depression to understand it, because it’s not something that can be seen or measured. It’s not like other physical ailments, like a broken leg.

Characterizing someone with depression as “sad”, suggests they have the ability to control their mood. That is not the case. They are physically unable to be happy.

Key differences:

Depression is debilitating. The low mood is so pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s ability to do normal things like: Go to work, concentrate on basic activities like watching a movie, take care of themselves or their family, or want to get out of bed. When you’re sad you can still do basic tasks even if you don’t feel happy.
Sadness fluctuates. Depression is constant.
People with depression feel sad. People who are sad do not necessary get depression.
Individuals with depression have no ability to change their mood. No matter what actions they take, they often still feeling an underlying feeling of emptiness and their mental processes feel slowed.
Depression makes you feel like you don’t want to live. Sadness makes you feel low but still hopeful. You can recognize that you have a life to live for.
Sadness doesn’t produce significant weight changes or prolonged periods of sleep changes.
Sadness does not involve psychotic events like delusions or hallucinations.
Depression requires multiple forms of treatment that involve nutrition, exercise, self care and many times, medication.

Factors that raise the likelihood a teen will develop depression

February 23, 2016 By Kay Walker

The following is a list of risk factors that will heighten a your teen’s chance of getting depression and considering suicide as a valid option. A person could have one or more of the risk factors to be considered vulnerable, though, it’s often a combination.

Factors that raise the likelihood a teen will develop depression and/or consider suicide

1) Dealing with difficult life circumstances:

Having a childhood history of trauma or abuse and not having dealt with it using therapeutic tools
Major financial loss suffered by the family
Loss of valuable relationship
The death of a close loved one or parent

2) Actions that can worsen mood and lead to major depression:

Abusing substances like alcohol and drugs
Not eating enough daily calories or carbohydrates (which are important for brain energy)
Eating too many processed foods and sugars
Not getting enough physical exercise
Spending too much time alone (up to three days without seeing or speaking to anyone)
Doing something they deeply believes goes against their morality. (ie. having sex when it’s against their religion and the beliefs of their family)

3) Environments that can increase the risk of depression and/or suicide:

Family history of mental health issues or suicide attempts
Living in household of trauma or abuse or being in an environment (ie. school or work) where they feel trauma regularly
Easy to access lethal means like guns or drugs or dangerous objects
Living in an area where local suicides have occurred
Lack of social support and sense of isolation
Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
Not having financial stability or living in poverty
Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

4) Having an underlying medical disorder or mental illness that’s affecting mood:

Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders
Major physical illnesses
Illness that have them deal with daily physical pain

5) Having a weak emotional IQ:

Never having learned how to properly deal with emotions. It’s a learned skill that isn’t taught in schools or taught to parents.
Believing there is something wrong with asking for help, so they try to do it on your own and don’t get very far.
If they’ve been put down and taught that they aren’t good enough, they may have very low self-esteem.

Teach your teen the future projections exercise

February 22, 2016 By Kay Walker

One major challenge for teens is that they haven’t learned how to separate their emotions from their reality. For teens the world becomes overly dramatic at times. The live in their feelings, so when life isn’t going their way their actions are thwarted.

An important lesson to teach your teen is about the reality of time. It will help them deal with intense challenges and emotions and remember that their circumstances now won’t stay this way forever. Read the article below and share what it teaches with your teen. Share the exercise below too.

Teach your teen the future projections exercise

When you are dealing with a difficult period in your life it’s important to remember the concept of time. Here’s a definition to consider:

Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

Simply put, time is a continuum that starts the minute you are born and it never stops. With each second of a day that passes you become a different person.

This is a scientific fact. Even if you think you are the same and feel the same from moment to moment you are different. Your biology changes by the second. Your environment changes. And together these aspects shape you in the present moment.

This concept is at the core of Buddhist teachings. They call it impermanence. It is a term used to explain that the world and our existence is in a constant state of flux. Time passes on no matter what and no one can stop it.

This is an especially important concept to consider in moments where life is not working the you way you want it to. Sometimes it feels that things will never change or that it will never get better. That is impossible.

While feelings are relevant to the way you experience the world it has nothing to do with reality. Feelings can’t be measured in distance, time and form. And feelings change from moment to moment as time shifts and new things happen.

So, no matter how bad your situation, it helps to understand that it is inevitable that your situation will change. It may get worse for a while. It may get better. But life is a constant state of ups and downs.

The more you accept that life is constantly changing with your control the more you can learn to go with the flow and take heart in bad times knowing it will get better. What goes up inevitably must go down, and vice versa. Sometimes it goes far down. But it always comes back up eventually.

Future projections exercise

Find a quiet place to sit or lay with no distractions
Set a 5 minute timer
Close your eyes
In your mind visualize yourself as you are right now. Get present to your clothes, your body, your surroundings. Get present to your unhappiness. Get present to your depression. Feel your sadness. Feel your pain. Do this for 1-2 minutes. Now, shift your thoughts to a future time where you are happy. You can be doing anything in this future memory. Include people you want. Cloth yourself and create your body the way you want it to look. Feel how happy you are. See yourself doing something you love. Think about how great it all is. Stay in this memory for as long as you like or shift to another memory. If you like you can even travel to the past and visit your past accomplishments. Feel the happiness in moments that were incredible.
When you open your eyes you will wake up and life will be as it was when you closes your eyes. But know it is now 5 minutes beyond the time it was so the world is already a different place. You are already closer to your future memory. What is right now, won’t be soon.

Keep this old adage present as you move into your day: “This too, shall pass”