Teen Depression
Teen depression and anxiety are very real things. We at
Lifeline For Youth
want to make sure you have some of the facts you need to know about how to help your teen with depression or anxiety.
Let’s break down some fact and fiction about these conditions and learn how to identify depression in teens and how to help your teen deal with anxiety.
"Depression is just being sad or bummed out"
FALSE!!
Recognizing teen depression isn’t only about being sad is the first step to awareness. Teen depression symptoms can often present in many ways such as lack of energy, too much or too little sleep, restlessness, irritability, change in appetite, drop in grades or attendance at school, hostility , frequent bouts of crying or tearfulness, changes in eating habits, hopelessness, and substance abuse. Because so many of these symptoms are present during adolescence, to begin with it may be harder for a parent or loved one to understand the link between these behaviors. At Lifeline For Youth, our skilled professionals have been helping teens for over 27 years and know how to recognize symptoms of teen depression.
"Depression will go away on its own."
FALSE!!
Unlike the normal ups and downs of the teenage mood swings,
depression can become a battle that lasts for weeks, months and in worse cases, years. So many factors can contribute to and fuel depression in a time of life that is typified by its own precariousness. Getting help for your teen if you suspect depression is vital to overcoming it. Help is necessary, and ignoring the symptoms won’t make it go away.
"Depression can lead to suicide."
TRUE!!
Rates of teen suicide and teen depression are inseparably intertwined. In an article from Healthychildren.org, we learn that suicide is no less than the third most prevalent cause of teen death in America, extending from ages 15 through 24. We also know that studies show 90% of all suicides are among teens who suffer from one or more of: depression, anxiety issues, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or other behavioral issues.
"Depression is a mental disorder."
TRUE!!
Calling depression “moodiness” is like calling a landfill “messy”. Because of the complexities of the human brain, we are learning new information on its function every day. By classing depression as a mental disorder, it is differentiated from an illness or sickness in that it is simply out of the norm in terms of normal brain function.
"If you've had depression once, you'll always have it."
Depression is very treatable and comes with a good success rate with proper professional intervention. While sadly, up to 75% of teens that experience depression will experience it later on in their lives, treatment is available.
Treatment for teen depression includes and depends on a support system that will teach your child how to overcome and prevent thinking that could lead to relapses. At Lifeline for Youth, we have a 97% satisfaction rate with our teens and their families.
"Depressed teens are still social."
TRUE!!
Although teens are more commonly noted for their highly un-social personas, it’s actually false. Because parents see a withdrawal and separation from a lot of the authority figures in the child’s life, it is assumed that teens adopt a uniformly solitary introverted existence. In reality they are more likely to remain friends with peers they feel comfortable with and simply become more selective in their associations. This is one of the significant differences between adult depression and teen depression.
"Depression is just something adults get."
FALSE!!
Most adults tend to forget the struggles of childhood because they’re busy navigating adulthood, and specifically adulthood with teens. National statistics put 3 million teenagers from 12-17 on the map for experiencing a depressive episode in 2015, with a staggering 2 million that experienced a serious depression that affected their daily functionality.
We are sadly mistaken if we think that only adults experience stress levels that lead to struggles with depression or mood disorders.
"Anxiety comes from worrying too much."
FALSE!!
Anxiety is a complex issue and experts warn about putting anxiety into a cause and effect statement. While it includes many triggers, anxiety can often have no apparent trigger at all. Exercising, being dehydrated, and sometimes just thinking about having a panic attack can bring one on.
"Anxiety and Depression are pretty much the same things."
While the symptoms of anxiety and depression
in teens are similar and include many of the same traits, they are separate. People who suffer from depression often have a history of anxiety issues. To say that one causes the other would be inaccurate, but many people including teens often struggle with both.
"Anxiety is made up. It's just in their head."
FALSE!!
Anxiety involves neurotransmitters, hormones, and results in physical problems. Because the brain can be over-sensitized to stimuli that trigger adrenaline, the fight or flight mechanism, and the subsequent bodily reactions are very real. If treating anxiety were easy as responding to triggers with logical thought processes, there would be no need for professional intervention.
"Anxiety symptoms can include dizziness, chest pains, and diarrhea."
TRUE!!
Because we don’t see a psychological disorder the same way we would see and recognize a physical disorder, we tend to diminish its significance in a person’s life. This is what makes recognizing teen anxiety difficult because most of the symptoms of teen anxiety are internal. The effects of anxiety may be silent, but they are a very real response to the chemical, emotional, and thought imbalances in your child.
"The only way to deal with depression and anxiety is medication."
FALSE!!
There are many times when medications can be very helpful, and they certainly have their place. Because some medications can offer serious long-term side effects, including triggering and over sensitizing to attacks of anxiety and even addiction later on, a large array of treatment options are considered. Rest assured that LifeLine for Youth will work with you to treat your loved one with the utmost care and respect, including alternatives to medications.
Bottom Line...
If you suspect your teen is struggling with anxiety and/or depression
call Lifeline For Youth today. With our caring and committed staff we can help with targeted
teenage depression treatment, present relevant
teenage anxiety, and depression
solutions, and help prevent turning back to old thought and habit patterns. Your loved ones deserve it. Call for your consultation today!