Depression can be a devastating condition for teens. The teen years are a time when young adults can make fond memories, discover their passions and make life choices that will affect their lives far beyond the formative years. But depression can turn all of these milestones into constant struggles full of pain and isolation. But thankfully, there are treatments available. But it is important to realize teenage depression is different from adult depression, both in terms of symptoms and treatments. To treat any psychological problem, it's essential to receive a proper diagnosis. Many parents might jump to the conclusion that their child is depressed because they suddenly see her begin to stay up later and sleep in more frequent, or see a change in friends or appetite. However, it's essential to realize that teen depression is much more complicated than a simple change in lifestyle. Usually teen depression is a combination of symptoms. However talk of suicide is always a reason to seek medical assistance. One of the biggest differences between teenage and adult depression is that a depressed teen may actually spend more time with his peer group rather than withdrawing away from social situations like adults generally do when depressed. This can also be coupled with an increase interest in avoiding adults. Although teens might embrace a circle of friends, they may also turn their backs on activities and interests they once loved. Changes in sleep patterns might also give a clue to depression. But perhaps most noticeable is an increased level of irritability or sadness. Sudden drops in grades, appetite or communication are other signs, as well as the use of alcohol or drugs. It's essential for parents and family members to be on the look-out for these symptoms, as unlike an adult who suffers from depression; children must wait for an adult around them to initiate the treatment. It is also of great importance to obtain help for a depressed teen for many reasons. First off, depression can affect school performance, dropping grades and limiting post-graduation options. Teens may also run away, putting them at great risk for exploitation and abuse, seek out drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate (which may result in needing to treat an addiction in addition to the depression), develop eating disorders, self-injury habits and commit acts of violence (which can result in legal problems). The most extreme danger, but one that is sadly not rare is suicide. To begin the process of healing and moving past the sadness of depression, it helps to begin a dialogue with your teen. But it's essential to go into this conversation with the right perspective. Offer your love and support, be patient (this is tough for a teen to talk about!), listen to what your teen has to say and validate his emotions. You can expect some resistance and denial from your child, so make sure you let your teen know that neither of you are qualified to diagnosis the problem and you need to check things out with a trained professional. Above all, don't interrogate your teen or criticize, these things will just put your teen on the defensive. Just as the symptoms of depression differ from teens to adults, so does the approach to treatment. That's because of an increased risk of suicide associated with the use of antidepressants in teens and young adults. In fact the correlation is so strong that nearly all of the widely prescribed antidepressants on the market today come with a warning relating to this risk. Family members are therefore urge parents to watch for signs of irritability or destructive thoughts or behavior. That's especially important since this adverse reaction can occur at any point within the course of treatment. It’s also important to maintain frequent visits with a trained counselor or psychologist who can detect problems before they become a threat. An initial appointment with your family physician is the best first move. Prepare for your meeting by making a list of symptoms you've observed and tracking your family history of depression. The family practitioner will most likely conduct a depression screening that includes a complete physical, blood tests and interview. Once physical problems are ruled out, you can seek a specialist to begin treatment. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is a good resource to consult when seeking a specialist experienced in treating adolescents and young adults. Treatment options include one-on-one therapy, group and family therapy, in addition to medication. The decision on which combination of therapies to use depends on the length and severity of the condition, but antidepressants should always be used in conjunction with some type of talk therapy. Don't let time constraints or the fear of therapy being too costly make you ignore the benefits. Behavior management, classes and nutrition counseling may also help. Because antidepressants were tested on adults, their effects on teens aren't fully understood. The developing brain of a teen is still a mystery, but there is documented danger of an increased suicide risk for teens being treated with antidepressants. That's why it's important to contact your health professional immediately if you see signs of increased anxiety, depression or thoughts of suicide. Additionally, there is emerging evidence that indicates that antidepressants can actual cause long-term effects on the developing brain of a teen. Depression doesn't have to ruin a teen's adolescence. By picking up on certain symptoms and taking the appropriate action to seek out treatment is essential to turning the tides. However, it's important to make sure to approach teen depression as a special case, that doesn't play by the rules of adult depression. By doing so, you can help your teen and avoid some of the common dangers of treating a depressed teen.
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