Teen Depression:
Is it Undermining Your Child?
Is it Undermining Your Child?
When your once cheerful and charming child becomes a sulky, unsociable, and irritable teen, it is not something to be taken lightly. It’s more than just missing your adorable little one: the changed behavior could be a call for help. If they have transformed into a bully, are socially withdrawn inside or outside the home, or have significantly changed in another negative way, it is good to pay attention. An emotional condition, such as depression, could be affecting your cherished child.
In the United States, depression is the most common emotional condition among teens. According to Teen Help, citing statistics released by the National Institute of Mental Health in 2014, teen depression affected about 2.8 million adolescents from age 12 to 17 in that year. Considering these alarming statistics, it is best to delve deeper into your teen’s behavioral change to determine if depression is undermining them.
Is it Just a Bad Mood or Teen Depression?
You may not believe it, but issues that you consider trivial can mean a great deal to your teenager. For instance, they may put importance on what they wear or the hairstyles they sport because they think these things matter in being socially accepted. They may want to lose weight or own the latest gadgets to impress their friends or to enter certain cliques. Petty as you may think these things are, they can affect your child’s mood, and when things get really complicated, they may even lead to depression.
Unfortunately, it may not be easy to spot depression, as the signs and symptoms can be confused with the characteristic changes that come with puberty or adolescent adjustment. Such behavior may just indicate that your child is experiencing a bad mood or a bad day. It is quite common for teens to be sulky, avoid you, and stay cooped up in their rooms for long hours. Wanting to look like their fashion icons, they may skip meals if they think they are getting fat.
They may just be moody, or they may have an eating disorder or low self-esteem. When these behaviors become the rule rather than the exception, it could be bigger than a bad mood: it could be depression. In this case, your teen may need your help.
How Will You Know It’s the Big D?
During adolescence, your child is zealously working on becoming independent. While you want to support them in that endeavor, it is critical to know when to intervene with positive help. The key is to know the signs of depression and provide prompt, professional help for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Remember, the depressive signs among young people can be different from adult symptoms. What are the symptoms to stay alert for?
Healthline says, “Depression is more than boredom or disinterest in school.” The website cites some signs of adolescent depression originating from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP):
• appearing sad, irritable, or tearful
• changes in appetite or weight
• a decreased interest in activities your child once found pleasurable
• a decrease in energy
• difficulty concentrating
• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• major changes in sleeping habits
• regular complaints of boredom
• talk of suicide
• withdrawal from friends or after-school activities
• worsening school performance
While some of these may not always indicate depression, such as changes in weight and appetite, it is best to pay attention when they have unhealthy consequences or are accompanied by other worrisome symptoms. In addition, pay attention to any sudden changes in personal habits, appearance, and hygiene, as well as being restless or agitated, or the opposite (regression or slowing down).
Helping Your Teenager Enjoy Adolescence
Adolescence can be among the best times in your child’s life, but depression can mar that. It can compound the difficulties associated with adolescence and make your child vulnerable to substance abuse and other risky behaviors that may lead to further life troubles, including teen pregnancy/parenthood and medical problems.
Untreated, depression can also ruin your child’s future life beyond adolescence. If they fail to complete their education, have difficulty making friends, or face other complicated issues, they may have fewer career opportunities and options.
You have the power to change that scenario. Know the symptoms of teen depression. If your child is gripped by them, do not hesitate to seek the best help in North Carolina at Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC. Unlike adults, teens depend on their parents or guardians to help them recognize the symptoms of depression and find the help they need.