Adolescent Depression

Crittenton offers treatment for conditions like adolescent depression based on evidence-based therapy interventions to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

When Your Teen Has Been Diagnosed with Depression

When Your Teen Is Diagnosed with Depression

Being moody is normal for teens. It's often due to hormone changes. But depression is more than just being moody. It’s a serious illness. And it can be treated. If your teen has been diagnosed with depression, this sheet will help you support your teen.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder. But it affects both mood and behavior. No one knows for sure what causes depression. It's linked with changes in levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals affect the ability to feel pleasure. Depression may run in families. A teen may be more likely to be depressed if someone else in the family has had depression.

Depression is a serious illness, just like diabetes or heart disease. And like any serious illness, depression is not something a teen can just snap out of. Treatment is needed.

What are the symptoms of depression?

In teens, common signs and symptoms of depression can include:

  • Loss of interest in family, friends, or things that they once enjoyed.

  • Talking about feeling hopeless or worthless.

  • An increase in reckless or risk-taking behavior.

  • Talk of suicide or death.

  • A drop in grades.

  • Being scared, anxious, restless, or irritable.

  • Crying a lot.

  • Big changes in appetite or weight.

  • Eating or sleeping more or less than usual.

  • Finding it hard to remember, think, or make decisions.

  • Angry or forceful behavior.

  • Drug or alcohol use.

  • Causing self-harm. They may cut, burn, or bruise themselves on purpose.

What’s the next step?

After your teen is diagnosed with depression, the next step is to decide how to treat it. If not treated, depression can cause a lot of problems. It can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. It can lead to risk-taking behavior. It can make other mental health problems more likely. And it's a risk factor for suicide. But treatment can help. The doctor may refer your teen to a mental health provider. They can talk with you and your teen about the best ways to treat depression.

How is depression treated?

The two most common treatments for depression are medicines and talk therapy. Both can take a few weeks to start working. But both can work very well. They are often used together.

Medicines

Medicines for depression are called antidepressants. They are thought to affect the balance of some chemicals in the brain. This helps them return to normal levels. Medicine can help a lot. But finding the best one for your teen may take time.

If medicines are prescribed:

  • Follow the instructions carefully. Let the doctor know how your teen is doing. Tell them if you see any changes.

  • Never let your teen take more or less medicine, or stop it on their own. Talk with the doctor first.

  • Never give your teen herbal medicines along with antidepressants. Ask the doctor first.

  • In some teens and young adults, antidepressants can cause increased thoughts of suicide. If this happens, talk with your teen’s doctor right away.

  • Make sure your teen knows that it is not safe to share the medicines with anyone.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy is done by talking with a counselor or other trained doctor. There are different methods for talk therapy. But they all aim to help change thoughts and feelings about problems. Therapy is often done one-on-one. But it can be done in a group with other teens. And it can be done with other members of the family.

Managing devices and media

Technology is a part of school and life. So banning it is not helpful. Instead, think about ways to decrease your teen’s risks when they use it.

  • Check your teen’s social media activity. Teens that are bullied online tend to have high levels of depression. They are likely to feel alone and helpless.

  • Keep up-to-date on new social media apps. Talk with your teen about apps or websites they use. Check them out yourself.

  • Work with your teen to agree on electronic media rules. Include a plan for what to do if they are bullied online. Among young and female populations, screen time was found to significantly raise depression risk.

Showing your support

Recovery from any illness takes time. Getting better from depression is no different. As your teen recovers, here are ways to help them feel better.

  • Let your teen know that depression is an illness that is not their fault.

  • Change your schedule so you can spend quality time with your teen. Don't allow electronic devices for either of you during this time.

  • Be patient. Your teen's behavior may be hard at times. But they are just trying to cope. Your support can make a huge difference.

  • Keep in mind that helping your teen helps the whole family. Think about joining a support group for parents and siblings of teens who have depression. Your family doctor and your teen's school counselor can give you a list of online and community resources.

Encourage your teen to:

  • Talk with you and share their feelings.

  • Spend time with friends and loved ones.

  • Exercise often to help relieve symptoms of depression.

Spotting suicide warning signs

Depression can fill your teen’s head with thoughts so bad that killing themselves can seem like the only choice. If you are worried that your teen may be thinking about suicide, don't hesitate to ask your teen about it. Asking about suicide does NOT lead to suicide. Suicidal thoughts or actions are not a harmless bid for attention. They are a sign of extreme stress. They should not be ignored.

If your teen becomes more isolated, starts giving things away, suddenly acts very happy or relieved, or talks about suicide, get help right away! If you know someone who is talking about suicide and is able to carry it out: Don't leave them alone. Take action.

Call 988 in a crisis

If your teen is in a crisis or has thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 right away. This is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will be connected to a trained counselor you can talk to. There's also an online chat option . You can also call Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). The 988 Lifeline is free and available 24/7.

When to contact your teen's doctor

Call the doctor if:

  • Your teen has side effects from a medicine.

  • Your teen has depression that gets worse.

  • Your teen becomes very forceful or angry.

  • Your teen shows signs or talks of hurting themselves.

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