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teenage depression is often summed up as 'growing pains', occasional melancholy or a stage they are simply going through and will grow out with time. In reality, depression among teenagers is a serious problem that affects and impacts every aspect of their lives including their relationship with family, school and their interaction with their peers...
If depression is not addressed and the teenager is not given help, it can lead to more serious matters including drug dependency, self esteem issues and even suicide .
As a parent who is concerned about teenage depression, there are several things that you can do to help.
The first thing you should do is try to talk to the teenager about their feelings. Be supportive and non-judgmental while listening and helping them feel comfortable expressing themselves to you. Share your concerns, and be clear about the reasons you are worried about them, including specific examples of things that you have noticed regarding their behaviour. Do not give up if they are unwilling to talk right away and instead, exercise patience. It's difficult for them to verbally express their anxiety because they fear being made fun of or that they will sound silly or even childish.
Sometimes, despite your efforts, you will not be able to encourage them to open up with your first attempt, but if you continue to show them that you are concerned and will do all that you can to help them through it, you increase the chances that they will seek comfort in sharing their thoughts and feelings with you. They need to see you as an ally, and you need to go the extra mile in reassuring them as best as you are able to, while respecting that their comfort level might not be what you wish it were. Still, emphasising your willingness to listen to everything they have to say will go a long way in helping them communicate.
When they do start talking to you, do not criticise them, even if you are discouraged or disappointed in what they have to say. You should never try to talk teenagers out of their depression, it is important to recognise it and do your best to acknowledge what they are going through by validating the pain and sadness that they may be feeling. If you fail to do this, you will give the impression that you aren't taking them seriously, or perhaps make them feel silly or irrational, which prevents them from feeling comfortable with the conversation.
If your teenager simply claims that nothing is wrong, you should take into account that depression is an incredibly strong emotion and is often a coping mechanism. You should also be aware that teenagers who are confused about the way they are feeling may not even recognise that it is in fact, depression.
If you see these warning signs, or you feel that a proper diagnosis is necessary, see a doctor or psychologist who will be able to clearly identify the problem. If you are concerned that your teenager may harm themselves or others, take immediate action. Depression is a very serious issue and can often be very detrimental if left untreated.
Remember, being a teenager is difficult, it's a world filled with changes both physically and emotionally, and by showing compassion, care and concern, while thoroughly explaining why you may feel it necessary to seek the help and advice from a professional, you are doing all that you can to help your teenager address and resolve the problem.
