If left untreated, teenage depression can evolve into a life-long illness. However, if it is addressed at the early stages, it is very probable the depression can be cured. In more serious cases, a combination of therapy and medication may be necessary.
Causes of Teenage Depression
Teenagers face an onslaught of new situations as they navigate through the adolescent years. Pressure to be in a certain crowd, social anxiety with starting a new school, worrying about getting good grades, and fear of the future after graduation are only a few of the reasons teenagers could fall into depression. So how can you decipher between what your teen is experiencing as normal or cause for concern?
Teens are Just Moody
Thanks to raging hormones, teens have a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s important to know the signs that could indicate your teen suffers from more than moodiness. If your child is exhibiting some or all of the following warning signs, they could be suffering from teenage depression.
- Commenting that they are worthless, ugly, or stupid
- No interest in activities that they used to enjoy
- Lack of energy or sluggish in speech or gait
- Sleeping all the time or trouble getting to sleep
- Significant change in weight or appetite
- Avoiding friends and family
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Difficulty with concentration or remembering
- Overall negative view of life
Treatment for Depression
Depression is a treatable condition. Depending on the severity of symptoms and your teen’s general health, treatment will vary. It could include medication, one-on-one counseling, family therapy, and possibly input from your child’s school.
Our team is standing by to help. We can be reached at (256) 239-5662, or you can fill out the online form by clicking here, and one of our team members will be in touch with you shortly. You can trust that your teen will be in the best care with our Garrett team at any of our locations in Albertville / Boaz, Huntsville and Jacksonville.