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As parents, it is easy to forget the pressures that today’s teenagers face. It is not easy living in a teen’s world and the problems can add up and overwhelm them rather easily. This can result in teen depression and send your child spiraling both in school and in life. The key is to recognize the signs and symptoms early and to get them help. The earlier we can do that, the better odds they have of getting back on track.
Unfortunately, some of the signs and symptoms of teen depression are not exactly easy to pinpoint. For example, drug use is obviously a huge red flag, but will you know if your teen is taking drugs? You’d hope so, but a lot of parents have zero clue until it is a major issue. Some of these signs are easier to see, though, and all you can do is try your best to see the signs and act quickly to resolve their underlying depression, anxiety, or other mental health problem. If you are not aware of the signs of teen depression, here is a quick look at some things you may notice and how to get help for teen depression and mental health:
Moodiness
With teen depression, many of the symptoms can be misleading. For example, a teenager being moody is fairly common. Most teens are moody and that can be normal given all the hormones. That said, you want to pay close attention to major shifts or changes. So being even more moody than usual can be a sign of teen depression.
Family avoidance
If your teen suddenly begins avoiding the family and keeping to himself, it is a good time to ask a few questions. This avoidance is particularly alarming if it is new.
Thoughts about death, suicide
Teens are sometimes going to be naturally curious about death and dying, but a constant preoccupation is not healthy. Clearly any thoughts about suicide should be a signal for immediate help and intervention.
Drug use and drinking
Drug use is a clear and obvious signal that a teen is depressed or otherwise in trouble. Depression has a way of giving a teen a hopeless feeling and they will sometimes begin looking for things to fill that emptiness. Drugs and alcohol are dangerous options that commonly get offered to teens.
New and unusual friends
If your kid makes a total shift in their friend groups or social circles, you should certainly be asking questions. They generally do this when they are looking for answers or they have been ousted from a social circle. Sometimes this is a harmless shift, but often it signals a problem.
Eating and sleeping problems
Any type of eating disorder is a major red flag and it requires an immediate response from you as parents. Sleeping is another major problem with depressed teens. They will either sleep way too much or not be sleeping at all. Either way, that is a clear signal that something is wrong.
Concentration problems
Teens that suffer from poor grades or concentration issues are usually distracted in some way or depressed. It can be very helpful to investigate these causes and open up the lines of communication.
This list is a good starting point for identifying teen depression and mental health concerns but it is not all inclusive. Every teen is different and might show their depression in different ways. The important thing is to pay attention and respond when you notice major shifts or changes in behavior.
So, now that you know what to look for, what do you do when you notice that your teen might have depression? First of all, that also depends on your teen, but one thing that cannot hurt for anyone – especially teens that are depressed is going to see a counselor. Even if you are not a teen and even if you are not depressed, I always recommend seeing a counselor.
If you are looking for someone to give you therapy in Marietta, Alpharetta, therapy Athens, and other places throughout Georgia, check out Ray of Hope Counseling Services. In fact, they also offer online therapy and take insurance, as well! They provide individual and group therapy, family therapy, as well as couples counseling. In addition to the license and education that each therapist holds, each therapist at Ray of Hope Counseling Services also has additional training and/or holds certifications in their specialty area, which is very important when it comes to helping their clients with life changes and challenges. For example, Clinical Director and Founder, Lynn Thompson Umstead, is a trained mental health professional with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition, Umstead also holds many certifications/licenses such as, a National Certified Counselor, Imago Relationship Therapist, an Anger Management Specialist, and she is registered by the state of Georgia as a civil and divorce mediator. Ray of Hope Counseling Services is a great place to go for all of your mental health needs.
