How is Depression Treated?

How to help a depressed teenager?

Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that worrisome symptoms will go away. If you suspect that your teen is depressed, bring up your concerns in a loving, non-judgmental way. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing are signs of a problem that should be addressed.

Open up a dialogue by letting your teen know what specific depression symptoms you’ve noticed and why they worry you. Then ask your child to share what he or she is going through—and be ready and willing to truly listen. Hold back from asking a lot of questions (most teenagers don’t like to feel patronized or crowded), but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.

Depression is not just sadness. It’s a disorder that needs to be treated seriously. Being told to ‘cheer up’ or ‘get over it’, won’t help someone suffering from depression, but there are many treatments that can.

Just as there are different types of depression, there are also different types of treatment. Physical, psychological, complementary and self-help solutions can all be effective, usually in combination.

How to communicate with a depressed teen?

Focus on listening, not lecturing. Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating. You’ll do the most good by simply letting your teen know that you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally.

Be gentle but persistent. Don’t give up if they shut you out at first. Talking about depression can be very tough for teens. Even if they want to, they may have a hard time expressing what they’re feeling. Be respectful of your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.

Acknowledge their feelings. Don’t try to talk your teen out of depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Well-meaning attempts to explain why “things aren’t that bad” will just come across as if you don’t take their emotions seriously. Simply acknowledging the pain and sadness they are experiencing can go a long way in making them feel understood and supported.

Trust your gut. If your teen claims nothing is wrong but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behavior, you should trust your instincts. If your teen won’t open up to you, consider turning to a trusted third party: a school counselor, favorite teacher, or a mental health professional. The important thing is to get them talking to someone.

Helping a depressed teen

1.Encourage social connection

Depressed teens tend to withdraw from their friends and the activities they used to enjoy. But isolation only makes depression worse, so do what you can to help your teen reconnect.

Make face time a priority. Set aside time each day to talk—time when you’re focused totally on your teen, without distractions or trying to multi-task. The simple act of connecting face to face can play a big role in reducing your teen’s depression. And remember: talking about depression or your teen’s feelings will not make the situation worse, but your support can make all the difference in their recovery.

Combat social isolation. Do what you can to keep your teen connected to others. Encourage them to go out with friends or invite friends over. Participate in activities that involve other families and give your child an opportunity to meet and connect with other kids.

Get your teen involved. Suggest activities—such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art, dance, or music class—that take advantage of your teen’s interests and talents. While your teen may lack motivation and interest at first, as they re engage with the world, they should start to feel better and regain their enthusiasm.

Promote volunteerism. Doing things for others is a powerful antidepressant and self-esteem booster. Help your teen find a cause they’re interested in and that gives them a sense of purpose. If you volunteer with them, it can also be a good bonding experience.

2. Social support of parents,friends and family

Treatment with a therapist is important. But you play an important role, too. At home, these simple but powerful things can help your child deal with depression.

Be sure your child eats nutritious foods, gets enough sleep, and gets daily physical activity. These have positive effects on mood.

Enjoy time together. Spend time with your child doing things you both can enjoy. Go for a walk, play a game, cook, make a craft, watch a funny movie. Gently encouraging positive emotions and moods (such as enjoyment, relaxation, amusement, and pleasure) can slowly help to overcome the depressed moods that are part of depression.

Be patient and kind. When depression causes kids and teens to act grumpy and irritable, it's easy for parents to become frustrated or angry. Remind yourself that these moods are part of depression, not intentional disrespect. Avoid arguing back or using harsh words.

3. Medications

There are a number of types of medications, known as antidepressants, available for the treatment of depression, it is advised that the possible side effects be discussed with the prescribing doctor.

What are the side effects of antidepressants?

A very effective means of treatment for depression is the use of antidepressants. These can be used to treat both anxiety and depression. However, they do unfortunately come with some adverse side effects. These side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Weight gain
• Insomnia
• Memory loss
• Loss of libido
• Nausea

By Ishtha Shreya and Garima Khullar (India)

Source:

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm/
• www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression-treatment
• www.mymed.com/diseases-conditions/depression/how-is-depression-treated

Image link:

• https://pulsetms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/shutterstock_552669553-min.jpg
• images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/gcms/Coping-With-Anxiety-and-Depression-722x406.jpg
• https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Therapist-comforting-person-in-therapy.jpg