Depression in adolescents is a serious medical condition that can be defined as persistent loss of interest in normal activities and prolonged feelings of sadness. Parents have the unique opportunity to identify depression symptoms in their adolescents and assist them in getting the help they need. Depression in adolescents can be difficult to spot, as the symptoms may differ from depression in adults. Early recognition and intervention are key to avoiding worsening symptoms and getting treatment.
Dr. Nasuh Malas, division director and service chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Mott Children’s Hospital offers advice for parents.
Malas warns that symptoms of depression in adolescents can present in many ways.
“Evidence of depression that can sometimes be challenging to decipher can include periods of increasing argumentativeness or irritability, poor sleep or frequent sleep, overeating or reduced appetite, struggles with concentration, more isolative behavior, more engagement in high-risk behaviors,” Malas said.
Common causes of depression in this population, according to Malas, include:
- Biological factors such as family history of depression, chronic illness, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, learning disorders, substance use disorders and eating disorders.
- Personal factors including the ability to cope and share emotions and frustrations verbally, sense of self-worth/identity, history of abuse or trauma, neglect, grief or loss.
- Interpersonal factors such as connectedness to others, level of supports, healthy attachment with family, conflict with family, conflict with peers and friends, challenges with a romantic relationship, or struggles in extracurriculars or sports.
It is helpful for parents to monitor these contributing factors and symptoms as they can exacerbate depression.
Once depression is identified, parents can help in a variety of ways. One great place to start is by contacting the primary care provider.
Malas said, “The primary care provider can be helpful in assessing for depression risk, screening for depression, and providing treatment and referral recommendations.”
An adolescent may need additional support such as therapy, medications or evidenced-based treatments which can include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, or attachment-based therapy. A mental health professional can help support an adolescent’s journey with depression and can be integral in getting the right treatments for an individual.
Other ways parents can help are to engage with the school. Speak with the teachers, school counselor, school nurse or principal. They can be helpful in “obtaining further information about the teen’s functioning, interactions at school and ways to partner to support the teen emotionally, socially, and academically.”
Outside of mental health professionals and therapy, some ways parents can be helpful is to spend time with their adolescent, have regular check-ins, take an interest in their activities and find time to share meaningful activities with your teen. Having a healthy connection with your teen can help you detect if there are any significant changes in their behaviors or mood. If this happens, it is important to call this out safety and confidentially, while validating the emotions you believe are contributing, and offering help and support.
Once depression has been identified and treated, parents can continue to provide regular support, validation and check-ins. Safety can become a concern and it is imperative to monitor for suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Removing firearms, properly storing medications and removing lethal means from the home are essential for safety. Parents can develop a safety plan with their adolescent, medical team and school. Providing supervision of your teen and knowing your local resources is also important if emergent help is needed.
Although depression in adolescents is a serious medical condition, parents can empower themselves by learning the signs and symptoms, knowing where and who to get support and treatment from, and how to help their child along the way.
Resources
If your teen has suicidal thoughts, know that you have 24/7 access to the 988 crisis line, which can be tremendously helpful in providing immediate guidance to keep your teen safe, to review risk and ways to manage the crisis or situation, as well as local resources you can access to get help. You can also see a list of mental health resources on the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health website: washtenaw.org/2995/Local-Mental-Health-Resources
For a list of resources, visit the original article on the Ann Arbor Family Press website
