Determining mood disorders in teens and what is not regarding your adolescent’s emotional health is one of the most challenging challenges you have as a parent. This quick guide is meant to help you recognize the signs and actions to take if you think your kid may be suffering from a mood illness, such as clinical depression.
Teenagers may exhibit various symptoms, such as a lack of interest in hobbies, friends, and other behaviors, as well as aggression, anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms. Not all symptoms indicate depression, but if your kid exhibits teen depression, you may need professional advice, as teen melancholy can have significant health implications.
Teenage depression is not a simple issue like the ordinary cold. Instead, there may be several triggers and causes, such as adolescent hormonal and neurochemical changes, going through a traumatic experience, or getting a substance use disorder.
Depression can occasionally be difficult to avoid. However, proactive steps can often be taken to reduce the likelihood of more serious issues arising from depression.
The capacity to identify the early warning signals of depression symptoms is one of the more notable variations between teen and adult depression.
Teenagers may be experiencing depression for the first time; thus, they lack the tools to self-identify their illness. But most people have some experience with depressive episodes by the time they reach adulthood.
The first step in helping an adolescent with depression is learning what to look for. And how to identify depression signs in them. Even though it might appear difficult, you can complete this even if you are not a mental health professional. There are two crucial points to keep in mind:
Look for and pay close attention to changes in your teen’s typical mood and behavior.
Symptoms of depression in teens often don’t look the same as in adults. Additionally, gender can make a difference in how depressive symptoms manifest.
Teenage girls who are depressed, for instance, are frequently irritable, easily disturbed, distressed, emotional, and melancholy. Adolescent boys who are depressed, on the other hand, maybe more agitated, hostile, oppositional, restless, and withdrawn.
Signs to watch for may include the following:
- Persistent sadness or blue mood
- Frequent crying
- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Angry outbursts/tantrums
- Apathy
- Agitation/restlessness
- Low energy levels
- Persistent fatigue
- Slowed speech
- Lack of motivation is often mistaken for laziness.
Make sure your child understands that you care about what you’ve observed; want to support them in any way you can, and are available to talk to them about anything.
Ask your teen if anything is bothering them right now. Remember that your kid may tell you they’re alright and claim you overreact if they don’t often talk to you.
Although your child’s pediatrician or family doctor may seem like a decent place to start, keep in mind that they are likely not both a psychiatrist and a therapist, nevertheless, they can conduct a physical examination, provide a preliminary diagnosis, and rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your teen’s depression symptoms.
The best option is to have a psychologist or psychiatrist treating children and adolescents assess your child. A psychologist or psychiatrist has an advantage since they have the specific education and experience to recognize and comprehend the various nuances of adolescent depression. Your family doctor might be able to send you to someone or provide a suggestion, but only a psychiatrist or psychologist can accurately diagnose your teen.
Getting your child into treatment is the third act to take. The primary approach toward depression test for teens is:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – is one of the most widespread and successful talk therapy methods for treating depression (CBT). With CBT, your kid can learn to recognize and alter the unhelpful beliefs, actions, self-talk, and thinking patterns fueling and reinforcing their depression. CBT is a very brief form of treatment.
Contact Inner Acceptance Therapy, as our licensed mental health therapists and counselors are here to help improve your quality of life and find your true happiness!
