Depression is not an easy topic to talk to others about. Whether you’re a teenager, a parent of a teenager, or someone that just wants more information, depression is a tricky topic. Teenagers may hide it from their friends and not want to speak to their parents about it. Parents may not fully grasp what their child is going through. Here at Adolescent Wellness Academy, we want to help you understand what depression is, the symptoms of depression, and how it affects teenagers.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a very common and serious mood disorder. This disorder can cause severe symptoms that can affect how you feel, think, and handle certain activities. It can affect things such as sleeping, eating, working, and social life. When being diagnosed with depression, symptoms have to be present for at least 2 weeks. Some of the signs and symptoms of depression are:- Feeling persistent sadness, anxiousness, or emptiness
- Feeling hopeless or forms of pessimism
- Feeling irritable
- Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
- Difficulty in sleeping, concentrating, remembering, making decisions, etc.
How Does Depression Affect Teenagers?
Being a teenager is hard enough without having depression. Teenagers may experience some of the symptoms and signs that we provided above. For parents, it is important to monitor your child’s mental health without becoming a helicopter parent. It is also important to not just think that your teenager is going through a phase or that puberty is affecting them (puberty is not the same as depression). The sooner their depression is treated, the sooner your teenager can start to cope with this mental disorder.How to Get a Teen Help With Depression
If you are a teenager looking for help with finding ways to cope/treat your depression (or you want to figure out if you have depression) we have provided a few steps that you can follow. These steps include:- Step 1 – Find an adult that you trust such as a parent, teacher, or counselor. You may also reach out to certain hotlines or text a live professional to receive more information on treating your depression.
- Step 2 – Research information about depression on websites such as the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institutes of Health, etc. This will help you learn more about depression and can give you ideas on whether or not you think you may be experiencing depression. Please note that there is a lot of misinformation on the internet and after doing research it’s best to consult a medical professional.
- Step 3 – Schedule an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation. If you’re under the age of 18 it is important that you have a parent or guardian make the appointment for you. A doctor can assess whether or not you may have a physical illness that is affecting your mental health and they may also talk to you about seeing a mental health professional. They can also recommend certain psychiatrists, counselors, psychologists, or therapists.
Teen Mental Health Treatment in South Florida – AWA
At Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen mental health treatment center located in South Florida, we understand the complexities and challenges of guiding our loved ones, especially adolescents, towards recovery from mental health challenges. Recognizing the delicate nature of this journey, we are committed to offering compassionate, specialized care even in situations where individuals may be hesitant to seek help. We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters healing and growth through our tailored programs:- Day Therapeutic Program: A structured daytime treatment offering therapeutic support and education that integrates seamlessly with the adolescent’s daily life.
- After-School Program: An innovative approach that provides therapeutic activities and supports post-school hours, allowing teens to continue their education while receiving the care they need.
About the Author
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Brandsmen
Founder
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