Parents of Depressed Teens

Help for Parents and caregivers of Depressed Teens

Parents of Depressed Teens

Is my teen depressed? Learn the signs and symptoms of teen depression

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Is my teen depressed? Like this depressed teen boyA list of possible symptoms of teenage depression

When teens get depressed, sometimes you will see noticeable behavior changes, sometimes they will be more subtle. If you have been wondering: Is my teen depressed? Then look at this list and if the answer is yes to more than half of the symptoms, you might want to investigate further and take action to help them.

Here are some signs your teen may be depressed:

Depressive behaviors

  1. They may have little or almost no motivation. They might become withdrawn and not communicate.
  2. They might close their bedroom door and stay in their room for hours at a time, on evenings and weekends.
  3. Depressed teens may sleep excessively.
  4. You might also see a change in eating habits
  5. They may exhibit apathy, not caring about anything they previously showed interest in.

Illicit activities

  1. Some might even participate in criminal behaviors. They may shoplift or vandalize property or bully other kids.
  2. They might drink and drive or use alcohol to excess.
  3. They may also engage in illicit drug use.
  4. In keeping with other items in this list you may see rebellious behavior from them.
  5. Some engage in promiscuous sexual activity.

Physical symptoms

  1. Teens who are depressed my complain of pains, including headaches, stomach aches, low back pain, or fatigue.
  2. There could be a loss of interest in food, and there will be a resulting weight loss.
  3. They may eat more and compulsive overeat and that could result in rapid and noticeable weight gain.
  4. They could experience memory loss or complain of fuzzy thinking or exhibit poor logic.

School and Social Life

  1. They may have trouble at school.
  2. They may be late for classes.
  3. They might skip school.
  4. Teachers may report a sudden drop in grades.
  5. They can have difficulty concentrating.
  6. They may struggle with making decisions for themselves.
  7. You might see withdrawal from friends, self-imposed isolation as well as sadness and loneliness.

Unusual Behaviors

  1. Some teens suffer from excessive or inappropriate guilt.
  2. Depressed teens may engage in irresponsible behavior. They may shirk responsibility. Ignore chores.
  3. Failure to show up for part time jobs.
  4. Sometimes there is a preoccupation with death and dying.
  5. Insomnia can also be an issue. You may see staying awake at night and sleeping during the day.
  6. Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness can be present.

If you need help or what to research teen depression further, you might find this Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression useful.

 

How do I know if my teen is depressed?

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How do I know if my teen is depressed?Depression in teens doesn’t always look like depression that is seen in adults. Here’s a guide that you can follow to see if your teen may be suffering from what doctor’s call a disorder called “major depression”.

As always, this is for informational purposes only and you should ALWAYS consult a doctor or qualified medical professional get a firm diagnosis. I always recommend getting a diagnosis from two different doctors.

Major depression is a medical disorder. Here are the criteria used by doctors to diagnose it:

1) Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (a) depressed mood or (b) loss of interest or pleasure.

  • Depressed mood most either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood
  • Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others).
  • Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5 percent of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
  • Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
  • Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self- reproach or guilt about being sick).
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).
  • Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

2) The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

3) The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

How do I know if my teen is depressed?

Additional symptoms specific to teens and children:

  • Persistent sad or irritable mood
  • Frequent, vague, non-specific physical complaints
  • Frequent absences from school or poor performance from school
  • Being bored
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • Increased irritability
  • Anger or hostility
  • Reckless behavior

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Have you been wondering: How do I know if my teen is depressed? Teen depression recovery expert Kay Walker answers all those questions in her book: How to Help Your Depressed Teen and The Feel Better Now Book.

Click below for more details…

CLICK HERE

5 things you can say to instantly soothe a depressed teen

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Click to download – use code Parent50 for 50% off – limited time offer

Depressed teens can be difficult to communicate with. As a parent you’ll either find yourself dealing with sullen silence, a lot of tears, and even anger. Depression in teens can express itself in many different ways. This article helps you learn to figure out what to say to a depressed teen

There are five key phrases you can use with your teen that can open up communication, soothe them, and even start a dialogue that results in a strategy when you both create a plan to resolve the issue.

1) “I’m here for you. What do you need?”

Feelings of isolation and helplessness often consume a depressed teen and they don’t know where to turn. Being a person they can go to will make them feel like they feel less alone.

2) “You can say anything to me and I won’t judge you or be upset. I promise. All I want to do is help you feel better.”

Teens feel like they cannot share their upsets, their problems, their frustrating or issues that they are dealing with for fear of being judged. Sometimes they feels like communicating will get them deeper into a problem and make it worse. You will need to create a safe space for them to say what they need to say and not feel like they are under threat of repercussions.

3) “Being depressed sucks. But it’s not your fault.”

Sometimes depressed people don’t know why they feel the way they do. This is a great time to explain that depression is a sickness that some people suffer. And that there are things you can help them with to make them feel better.

What to say to a depressed teen4) “What kind of thoughts are you having?” 

Depression can bring on dark or upsetting thoughts. This is extremely normal. Even occasional thoughts of suicide are normal. Almost everyone deals with this once or twice in their life. Have them express what they are feeling. Just have them talk and listen. Try not to interrupt until they are done.

WARNING: Persistent thoughts  of suicide for two weeks or more can be an indication of severity. This would require that they see a doctor as soon as possible. Intervention is necessary. Let them express themselves. Don’t freak out yourself. Stay calm. Afterwards get support for yourself if this conversation upsets you. Arrange to get them to a doctor. The point here is to have them talk about how they are feeling and empathize and help them find a solution to how they are feeling. I go into detail about how to handling this in my book: How to Help Your Depressed Teen.

5) “I’ll go with you.”

A depressed teen needs an ally. They need someone to have their back and prop them up when they seek help. You could offer to take them to the doctor, or a counsellor, a therapist, or anyone else that you help them select. Go with them. Be their advocate.

Now that you know what to say to a depressed teen, learn everything you need to know as a parent to help them get better and feel like themselves again.  Download my book: How to Help Your Depressed Teen

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Teen depression recovery expert Kay Walker is the author of the books How to Help Your Depressed Teen and The Feel Better Now Book. Click below for more details.

CLICK HERE