Depression in Teenagers
Depression is a common mental heath issue characterized by changes in mood and behavior. It can effect multiple environments, and persist for at least several weeks and cause significant difficulties in functioning. Therefore, for teenagers this might mean academic or behavioral issues at school, difficulties interacting with peers, or withdrawing from family. In other words, depression in teenagers is more than simply being in a bad mood, feeling sad, or having a negative attitude and includes other significant psychological, biological, and behavioral changes.
Signs of Depression in Teenagers
Frequent Mood Swings
Feeling Worthless
Frequent Crying
Social Withdrawal
Loss of Energy or Fatigue
Low Self-Esteem
Thoughts of Death, Suicide or Self Harm
Difficulty Sleeping
Academic Difficulties (e.g., drop in grades, not doing school work)
Difficulty Concentrating
Change in Appetite
Feeling Angry
Behavioral issues (e.g., getting into trouble at school, or refusing to go to school)
Treatment of Depression in Teenagers
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most researched and scientifically proven psychotherapy for treating depression in adolescents. CBT is a practical and easy to understand treatment approach that emphasizes the here-and-now and the development of effective coping skills and strategies. However, with teenagers, a combination of insight-oriented (e.g., changes in thinking, developing understanding) and behavioral interventions are typically utilized.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a practical, goal-driven model with emphasis on clear, concise, realistic goals. Above all, it assumes all clients have some knowledge of what would make their life better, even though they may need some help describing the details of what that could look like, and they already possess at least the minimal skills necessary to create solutions.
Medication
Certain medications (i.e., SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression in teenagers and like psychotherapy have been proven to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms. However, while the use of medication to treat depression in adolescents has grown steadily over the past couple of decades there remains concern regarding the safety of some medication use in teenagers. For more information regarding the use of medications in treating depression in children and adolescents click here to visit the NIMH website on the matter.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is commonly recommended for teenagers who are experiencing depression. For instance, family therapy aims to help parents and caregivers learn how to more effectively provide support and create a less stressful environment for their children. In addition, family therapy can often increase the effectiveness of individual therapy with teens.
GREGORY LINARES, LMFT
THERAPIST
CHILD (8 – 11)
ADOLESCENT (12 – 17)
ADULTS
COUPLES
LOCATION:
CURRENTLY ONLINE ONLY
RALEIGH CHILD & FAMILY CLINIC & ONLINE
