Teenagers are prone to depression, but there are proactive steps parents can take protect teens from depression and the destructive behavior that may result. One of the main causes of depression is a major life change. Teens, especially younger teens, are dealing with hormonal changes, increased expectations in educational performance, insecurities about looks and social status, and an increasing need for independence. Young girls are more susceptible to the ravages of depression than boys, but boys are still affected.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
- Extreme difficulty concentrating
- Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
- Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
- However, depression in teens is often difficult to pinpoint because of the normal mood swings that occur in adolescent. "Depressed children may not have the classic symptoms of adult depression. Watch especially for changes in school performance, sleep, and behavior. If you wonder whether your child might be depressed, it's worth bringing to a doctor's attention." (healthline.com)
In addition, parents can enforce behaviors that counteract depression:
2) Sleep. Teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. Because melatonin production in teenagers occurs later in the day than for adults, teens often are not tired enough for sleep until after 10 pm. If possible, arrange your teens sleep time so that he or she can rise later in the morning.
3) Exercise. Parents should insist teenagers perform 30 minutes a day of walking, running, playing ball or any other physical activity. Taking a walk with teens offers parents the chance to establish a communication routine.
4) Activity. This differs from exercise. Encourage your teen to engage in a hobby or group at school or within the community. The idea is to occupy your teenager's time and help develop skills the teen can enjoy and accomplish. This can be as simple as making beaded bracelets or building model cars.
5) Limit social media. Parents are finding that the cell phones given to teens to keep in touch with them are a source of cyberbullying. And Facebook bullying, which gave rise to the Megan Law in Missouri, is also attributed to two recent suicides in Minnesota. When teens are at home, insist that their personal cell phones are off limits. This will mean that the teens' friends can call on the home phone or the parent's cell phone. It is a small price to pay for protection. Also, limit your teen's time on Facebook or other social sites. If the teen stays up later than the parent, unplug the wireless router or disable Internet access. This will prevent late night bullying, and encourage the teen to go to sleep earlier.
6) Assertiveness training classes. St. Louis Psychologists and Counseling Information and Referral offer assertiveness training. "Assertiveness, however, is more than learning skills. It is also a mindset. As a skill, it involves speaking up for ourselves. It requires clear and direct communication. It teaches us to set limits and to say "No." It gives us the ability to express both positive and negative feelings (Mary DuParri MA LPC).
7) Family interaction. Establish and maintain family activities. Insist that the teen participates. This can be as simple as Wednesday night sit down dinner, Movie night, or any activity your family enjoys.
Parents should be proactive when it comes to monitoring teens for depression and take steps, like the ones listed above, to ward off depression in teens and establish good communication and family interaction.
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