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What You Need To Know About Teen Depression

by Dr. Sarah Allen
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Are you worried that your teenager is depressed? I’m not asking if your teenager is moody, we’ve all been in the position where our hormones lead to mood swings and eye rolls. Teens also tend to have different sleep habits from children and adults. It’s not just wanting to sleep in at weekends. I’m talking about a sadness that is pretty constant and effects functioning at school and/or at home.

Teen depression is pretty common and approximately 20% of people experience depression symptoms st some point during their teenage years.

So how do we tell the difference between normal teen behavior and depression?

Here are the common symptoms of teen depression. They have to be present for at least two weeks and what is probably most noticeable is a change in overall functioning. Your usually sociable child is withdrawing from friends and activities, or perhaps their grades are falling.

Thoughtful woman with problem

These are some of the signs you may be noticing:

  • They are irritable, sad or their mood is flat. Their attitude is unusually negative and they say life is pretty meaningless and boring.
  • Frequently there is a loss of motivation. For teens this could be a loss of interest in the sports or activities they used to enjoy and withdrawal from friends, family and socializing.
  • Hand in hand with decreasing motivation is loss of energy. Not just after a busy week, recovering from being ill or because of staying up late. This is tiredness that is constant for a period of at least two weeks.
  • You might also notice changes in appetite, either significant weight gain or loss.
  • Many teens like to sleep in but are they getting too much or too little sleep?
  • Parents also notice that their teen is making critical comments about themselves or there start to be behavior problems at school or at home.
  • Another sign is a drop in grades, or frequent absences from school.
  • Lastly, are you hearing frequent complaints of physical complaints i.e.headaches, stomach etc. They are not faking it. Depression can be felt as a pain in your body as well as in your mind.

Depression can often run in families. Have you or another family member ever experienced depression? It also frequently goes hand in hand with anxiety. Depression can also occur after difficult life stressors such as a bereavement, parental divorce or bullying. Sometimes though it is difficult to know what has triggered it.

So what should you do if you are worried about your teenager? Teen depression is very treatable and the first step is to get them evaluated. Tell them you are concerned and want to help. Show your child some websites of local mental health specialists and let them choose who they want to see. It is important that they are motivated to get help and are don’t feel pushed in to seeing someone they don’t want to. If they are reluctant to get counseling, engage the help of their pediatrician or family doctor.

 

I put together this booklet with strategies I am always giving to my clients firstly, because they help and secondly, so clients can have something handy to refer to between sessions.SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION ebook

I am a big believer in giving handouts about the strategies we talk about during sessions because I think it is hard to remember everything. I also give new clients a folder so they will be able to keep all this information in one place. A sort of emotional health toolbox to get out and read when you need it.

Not everyone is able to come and to see me though so I decided to make these strategies available to everyone and I hope you find this booklet helpful too. I think it is a great way to get started but it is hard to do this on your own so please contact me with any questions you may have after reading it.

Add your first name and email in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book and begin your journey to feeling better.

 

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

 

Please let me know if  you have any questions after reading the booklet. Also, if you would like to read more, I have several blog posts on my blog about depression and other issues that can affect the way you feel.

If you have any concerns that your teenager has depression contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

     

     

     

     

    Filed Under: Family Counseling, Parenting, Teens, Uncategorized

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    You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

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    When I started seeing you for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

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    When I first came to see Dr. Allen, I was sick of struggling with my weight. With her help, I realized that a lot of my eating habits were a way of dealing with the bad relationship I was in. With her support, I made some big changes in my life, increased my self-confidence and found better ways to deal with my stressful job. Now I don’t need to eat my way to feeling better, I have much better ways to cope with life’s difficulties.

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    I have always been on a diet and my mood went up and down as my weight did. My internist thought I might be depressed and referred me to Sarah. I was willing to give anything a try but really thought I just needed more self discipline to stick to my diet. By talking things through with her I quickly realized that not being able to stick to a diet wasn’t really about food, although I certainly craved sweets. I learned to notice how different emotions and situations triggered my overeating and Sarah showed me other ways that don’t involve food to deal with how I felt. I have a much better relationship with food now and don’t view it as the enemy. Sarah showed genuine concern and was very encouraging. I would recommend her services to anyone struggling with eating issues.

    Anonymous

    I first came to see Dr. Allen I was completely exhausted by battling with my son who has ADHD and angry outbursts. I have learned how to stay calm and that helps him stay calm too and we have a much better relationship. We still have our difficult days but I am in a better position to deal with them and at the end the day I am left feeling that I am done my best, not guilty that I have failed him. The techniques she taught me for helping him deal with his ADHD have been very useful for all of us.

    Cathy S.

    My baby didn’t sleep. She wouldn’t sleep more than a couple of hours at night and no more than 30 minutes during the day. I was completely overwhelmed and my husband and I were at each other’s throats. I was supposed to be going back to work but was barely functioning. Sarah helped us to learn how to get our baby sleeping and then she supported me in my transition back to work. She also helped my husband and I navigate how to share childcare and running the house fairly. She is such a knowledgeable doctor and has really helped us become a healthy, happy family.

    Pam. L.

    When I started seeing Dr. Allen for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

    Margaret R.

    Thank you for all of your support. I am finally feeling so much better. I never thought I would get to such a good place in my life. Your voice and words of encouragement were extremely helpful.

    Sharon T.

    Thank you so much for all the support and counsel you have given me. You have made such a positive impact on my life and I very much appreciate it. I had some very dark days when I first came in to see you but I can now enjoy my life with my husband and two kids and I am emotionally present when I am with them.

    Katy W.

    I had heard great things about Dr. Allen from a friend so I decided to try her. I have had therapy in the past as I have experienced depression for many years but this is the most productive therapy I have ever had. I have really learned a lot and felt very supported. I feel my mood has improved greatly and my depression has significantly decreased. I would definitely recommend her if you are looking for a therapist.

    Andrew S.

    Dr. Allen has really helped me find my own voice. When I began therapy I would swing between being passive and doing whatever other people wanted me to do to being angry and frustrated. I have been on antidepressants for quite a few years but it wasn’t really working. Through therapy I have learned to listen to my own needs and to speak up. I used to worry that people wouldn’t like me if I didn’t agree with them but when Dr. Allen gave me the support I needed I challenged my fears. I spend a lot less time feeling angry and depressed now and I have really widened my social network. This is how I have always wanted to be but didn’t know how to get there. Dr. Allen has a very reassuring manner and makes you challenge yourself but by using small steps so you feel ready to do it. I have really come out of my shell and would recommend anyone who is feeling depressed to come and talk with her.

    Rebecca F.

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