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Depression pertains to a mental health condition that is crippling the well-being of some individuals across the globe. And, believe it or not, teenagers are among the most vulnerable age groups to this mental health illness. In this article, we will zoom in on teenage depression and learn ways how to combat this, including searching for a “therapist for teenager near me.” Read on.

What Is Teenage Depression?

Teenage depression is considered a severe mental health problem causing persistent sadness

and loss of interest in various activities. This condition affects how teenagers think, feel, and behave; worse, it can cause physical, emotional, and functional problems. Though depression can happen at any point in a person’s life, you must know symptoms are different between teenagers and adults.

Issues like changing bodies, academic expectations, and peer pressure can bring several ups and downs for teenagers. However, for teens, the down-lows are more than just normal feelings. They are a symptom of depression.

Furthermore, know that teenage depression is not a weakness or something willpower could overcome. Rather, it can have severe impacts and requires long-term treatment. For many teens, depression symptoms ease with medication and consulting with a therapist or psychologist.

What Are The Symptoms Of Teenage Depression?

The signs and symptoms of teenage depression include a change from their previous behaviors and attitudes that can significantly cause distress and problems either at school or home, in socialization or in other areas of life.

We divide the symptoms into emotional and behavioral changes as we get to know them.

Emotional Changes

If any of these symptoms are found in teenagers, be alert that they may suffer from depression.

These include feelings of sadness that include crying spells for no apparent cause, anger or frustration even over minor matters, feelings of hopelessness or emptiness, an irritable mood, and loss of interest or pleasure in doing activities.

Symptoms categorized under emotional changes also include conflict with family and friends, low self-esteem, guilt or worthlessness, fixation on past failures and self-blame or self-criticism, and extreme sensitivity to failure and the need for excessive reassurance. Having trouble thinking, remembering things, concentrating, and making decisions; and frequent suicidal thoughts are also some emotional changes you should watch out for in your teenager.

Behavioral Changes

The other category of depression symptoms among teenagers is behavior change. These include tiredness or loss of energy; insomnia or too much sleep; decreased appetite or increased cravings for food; weight gain; use of alcohol or drugs; and agitation or restlessness, such as inability to sit still and more.

Behavioral changes also constitute slowed-down thinking, speaking, or body movements; frequent complaints of unexplained body pains and headaches; social isolation; poor performance in and frequent absences from school; and less attention to appearance and personal hygiene. Angry outbursts, self-harm like cutting, and making a suicide attempt are also symptoms under this category.

If any of those symptoms is witnessed in your teenager, it is time to take action. But you can prevent teenage depression before it can even happen.

6 Ways To Prevent Teenage Depression

According to the World Health Organization, around 280 million people worldwide have depression. The statistics for teenage depression are even more alarming. About 3.2 million teenagers 12 to 17 years old had one major depressive episode in 2017, according to data published on Psych Central.

Depression is a serious condition you should not take for granted, even if the symptoms are few. Here are some of the best and most effective ways to support your teen, prevent depression, or combat this illness if it is already happening.

1. Love Your Teenager Unconditionally

Instead of pressuring them in their academics, love them unconditionally. The relationship between parent and child is crucial during their adolescent period. Teenagers tend to have a rebellious attitude in this phase in their lives. So, foster an open and honest relationship, giving your teenager the feeling that you will always be there when they need you.

Specifically, some ways to do this include setting aside time every day to talk, finding out what motivates them the most, praising their achievements, offering positive reaffirmation, and responding to your child’s anger with calmness over aggression.

2. Foster Friendships And Social Networks

Instead of prohibiting them from spending time with their friends, do the opposite. Reaffirm your teenager as they spend time with others. At this point in their life, they are getting to know themselves better, and being able to find a company in others is an essential component of this phase. Positive experiences with peers can help prevent teenage depression.

3. Monitor Their Media Use

However, sometimes, you will also need to be strict, such as in their media use. Teenagers are often lost in the moment when they are using their smartphones. This is not psychologically nourishing. Instead of just letting them spend their time on social media throughout the day, encourage them to have personal interactions with others.

4. Encourage Your Teenager To Exercise

As you may know, physical activity can release endorphins, hormones that help boost positive feelings. Exercise, therefore, helps with long-term mental health. It does not always have to be a rigorous form of exercise. Simply encouraging them to walk regularly will help improve their mental health.

5. Promote Healthy Sleeping Habits

If you want to prevent teenage depression from happening, you must practice your child to

sleep and wake up at the same time each day. This prevents insomnia or oversleeping. And if sleeping is a challenge, remove distractions in their bedroom like their television or computer.

6. Consult With A Therapist

Consulting with a therapist or psychologist is still a stigma in today’s society. This is because people think that when a person talks to a psychologist, he or she may have a mental illness. But this is not always the case. Even if your child does not suffer from depression, talking to a therapist is one of the ways to prevent the illness from actually transpiring.

When To See A Doctor

What you learned about above are ways to prevent depression. However, if the symptoms worsen, it is best to see a doctor. Your family doctor or pediatrician is a great place to begin. Or, you may ask officials in your teen’s school for recommendations.

Symptoms of depression likely will not get better on their own. They may even worsen or lead to other problems if left untreated. Worst-case scenario, your depressed teenagers may have suicidal thoughts, even if the signs and symptoms are not too severe.

If you are a teenager and think you may be depressed or a parent or friend who has somebody nearby who may be depressed, don’t wait to seek help. Talk to a psychologist or therapist. Parents, be open to listening to your teenagers. Teenagers, do not be afraid to share your concerns with your parents, close friends, spiritual leader, and teachers. We can overcome teenage depression.