Teenage Depression

Cynthia - posted on 06/13/2012

Early identification of depression is extremely important. If you want to get her the help she needs without taking her to full-on therapy I know an organization that might be really helpful. Portrait Health is running an iPhone app development course paired with psych evaluations. It's a great way to get evaluations without the embarrassment of going to therapy and its actually completely free. Teen depression is serious and should not go untreated. Check out this press release for more info or just message me.

press release: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/portrait-h...

Jennie - posted on 11/08/2011

My daughter, who is 16, was recently diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. For years, I knew something was wrong with her. Little things she did or didn't do. The anxiety, eventually led to depression and seclusion. And lots of things I have read and lots of people I have spoke to have all said the same thing. You usually do not have one without the other. Depression can lead to high anxiety and anxiety can lead to depression. I can tell you right now that the moment I noticed a change, I became involved on getting her help. I believe 100% that we all personally deal with anxieties in life. Some just know how to deal better with it than others. I would NEVER ever disregard a child who expressed concerns of depression. EVER. My daughter goes to therapy and sees a psychiatrist and it has helped wonders. The things is to really know your children and to know and understand that gut feeling we get as parents. If something changes and it doesn't seem right, then it probably isn't.

Tracey - posted on 11/07/2011

My daughter and youngest son became very depressed when their father left us for a young woman 12 years ago. He continued to torment us all even though he left the household. My daughter was then 13 years old, she self harmed, was affraid of showing her face to anyone and became confined to the house within a matter of a week. My sone was 11 years old at that time, he became very angry, violent & started hurling knives, hammers & spanners at me when he was in a rage, I did not try to restrain him or anything, I just stayed in one place in the kitchen and let him carry on until he blew his anger out after which he gried uncontrolably, came and hugged me and appologised and said that he deliberately missed me because he thought he could see his father behind me using me as a human shield, he said he wanted to kill his father! I decided to go to my solicitor to place an injunction against my husband coming near us or even having having any contact with myself and my children as he was feeding my children with anger all of the time. I then took my children to my doctor where he referred us to a family psychologist which helped an awful lot, also my children were given a light anti-depressant, had regular counselling and a social worker to protect them from their father. After two years their father was affraid of them as they could stand up for themselves and chose on their own wether they wanted to have contact with him or not. Now they are all in their twenties and their father has now got a second failed marriage not one of them have offered any sort of help towards him as they will never forget what he put us all through. So yes it is possible to deal with childhood/ teenage depression and is a larger problem than a lot of people think. There is not enough awareness about this which needs to be addressed. Bullying is a big contributor to childhood depression too as I know what it is like, I was bullied in school and it destroys any confidence and self esteem in yourself, it still affects me to this day, by not liking myself, I should never should have been born and wherever I go I must be the cause for others bad luck etc. I am now having Cognitive behavioural Therapy/Art Therapy as years ago as a child there was nothing to be had like the help you can get today. Don't be afraid to go immediately for Help for your child as if you don't by putting it on the back burner later in life they could end up like me!

Rockland45 - posted on 11/04/2011

This is such a good and important question, Sarah. You didn't say why you're asking, but you're right ~ teen depression *is* scary! It's also easy to miss, since the signs can look like "normal" teenage anger or moodiness.

I have a niece who went through depression as a teen, and I think our family would have been more understanding and better prepared if we'd had some good information at the time. Here's a recent interview that might answer some of your questions: http://bit.ly/uNBTAp. This article also lists some symptoms that can mask depression: http://bit.ly/v0eLE5.

When in doubt, be sure to ask your family doctor, the school counselor or another mental health professional for advice. I totally agree with Tamara that this isn't something that should be ignored!

Bless you!

Tamara - posted on 11/02/2011

First take it seriously, Never say Oh it will pass, It may but never put it on the back burner, I would start by taking her to her family doctor, be open to a mild anti depressant. Look in to therapists, she needs to talk to someone about whats going on. many times they don't want to talk to mom or dad about these things. so someone who they know is safe is a great option for that.

My 9 year old started showing signs of depression and he went to see a therapist it helped tons.

When ever a child says they are sad and things like that it really should be taken seriously and they need to see someone. let them decide if its nothing or if its something. to us something small could be something huge in someone elses mind.

Good Luck