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Helping your teen with depression

Teen depression - helping; Teen depression - talk therapy; Teen depression - medicine

 

Your teen's depression may be treated with talk therapy, anti-depression medicines, or a combination of these. Learn about what is available and what you can do at home to help your teen.

Treatment Options for Your Teenager

 

You, your teen, and your health care provider should discuss what might help your teen the most. The most effective treatments for depression are:

  • Talk therapy
  • Antidepressant medicines

If your teen might have a problem with drugs or alcohol, discuss this with the provider.

If your teen has severe depression or is at risk for suicide, your teen may need to stay in the hospital for treatment.

 

Find a Good Therapist or Counselor

 

Talk to your provider about finding a therapist for your teen.

  • Most teens with depression benefit from some type of talk therapy.
  • Talk therapy is a good place to talk about their feelings and concerns, and to learn ways to deal with them. Your teen can learn to understand issues that may be causing their behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
  • Your teen will likely need to see a therapist at least once a week to start.

There are many different kinds of talk therapy, such as:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches your teen to reason through negative thoughts. Your teen will be more aware of their symptoms, and will learn what makes their depression worse and problem-solving skills.
  • Family therapy is helpful when family conflict is contributing to the depression. Support from family or teachers may help with school problems.
  • Group therapy can help teens learn from the experiences of others who are struggling with the same type of problems.

Check with your health insurance company to see what they will cover.

 

Learn about Anti-depressant Medicines

 

You, your teen, and your provider should discuss whether antidepressant medicine might help your teen. Medicine is more important if your teen is severely depressed. In these cases, talk therapy alone won't be effective.

If you decide that medicine would help, your provider will most likely prescribe a type of anti-depressant medicine called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for your teen.

The two most common SSRI medicines are fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These are approved to treat depression in teenagers. Prozac is also approved for children age 8 and older.

Another type of antidepressants, called tricyclics, is not approved for use in teens.

There are risks and side effects with taking antidepressants. Your teen's provider can help manage these side effects. In a small number of teens, these medicines can make them more depressed and give them more suicidal thoughts. If this happens, you or your teen should talk to the provider right away.

If you, your teen, and your provider decide that your teen will take an antidepressant, make sure that:

  • You give it time to work. Finding the right drug and dose can take time. It could take 4 to 6 weeks to get to full effect.
  • A psychiatrist, or other medical doctor, who treats depression in teens is watching for side effects.
  • You and other caregivers watch your teen for suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and for nervousness, irritability, moodiness, or sleeplessness that is getting worse. Get medical help for these symptoms right away.
  • Your teen does not stop taking the antidepressant on their own. Talk to your teen's provider first. If your teen decides to stop taking the antidepressant, your teen may be instructed to lower the dose slowly before stopping altogether.
  • Keep your teen going to talk therapy.
  • If your teen is depressed in the fall or winter, ask your doctor about light therapy . It uses a special lamp that acts like the sun and may help with depression.

 

You Can Help Your Teenager

 

Keep talking with your teen.

  • Give them your support. Let your teen know that you are there for them.
  • Listen. Try not to give too much advice and do not try to talk your teen out of being depressed. Try not to overwhelm your teen with questions or lectures. Teens often shut down with that kind of approach.

Help or support your teen with daily routines. You can:

  • Schedule your family life to help your teen get enough sleep.
  • Create a healthy diet for your family.
  • Give gentle reminders for your teen to take their medicine.
  • Watch for signs that depression is getting worse. Have a plan if it does.
  • Encourage your teen to exercise more and to do activities they like.
  • Talk to your teenager about alcohol and drugs. Let your teen know that alcohol and drugs make depression worse overtime.

Keep your home safe for teens.

  • DO NOT keep alcohol in the home, or keep it securely locked.
  • If your teen is depressed, it is best to remove any guns from the home. If you feel you must have a gun, lock up all guns and keep ammunition separate.
  • Lock up all prescription medicines.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider right away if you notice any signs of suicide. For immediate help, go to the nearest emergency room or call the suicide hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-999-9999. The hotline is open 24/7. Warning signs of suicide include:

  • Giving possessions away
  • Personality change
  • Risk-taking behavior
  • Threat of suicide or plans to hurt oneself
  • Withdrawal, urge to be alone, isolation

 

 

Open References

References

American Psychiatric Association. Major depressive disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 . 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013;160-168.

Bostic JQ, Prince JB, Buxton DC. Child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry . 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 69.

National Institute of Mental Health. Antidepressant medications for children and adolescents: information for parents and caregivers. NIMH.NIH.gov Web site. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/antidepressant-medications-for-children-and-adolescents-information-for-parents-and-caregivers.shtml . Accessed December 15, 2016.

Siu AL; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for depression in children and adolescents: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med . 2016;164(5):360-366. PMID: 26858097 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26858097 .

 

  • Adolescent depression

    Animation

    •  

    Adolescent depression - Animation

    Teenagers are typically moody. They can go from upbeat to moping in a matter of seconds. It's normal for teens to feel sad from time to time, but when that sadness sticks around day after day, it could be depression. Let's talk about adolescent depression. Teens have a lot of pressures in their lives that can lead to depression. They're growing physically, and dealing with a new surge of hormones. They're fighting for more independence from their parents while trying to figure out their place in the world. Some kids are bullied at school or abused at home. Others are faced with major life changes, like their parents' divorce or the loss of a loved one. Kids who are very critical of themselves or who have low self-esteem are more likely to get depressed. Those with learning disorders, ADHD, or anxiety are also more prone to depression. So, how do you know that your teen is depressed? Look for signs like: irritability, fatigue, trouble eating, sleeping, or concentrating, teens who are depressed may start using drugs or alcohol, their attitude changes... once good kids may start misbehaving, missing curfews and acting up to their parents and teachers. Also, their grades may drop and they may spend more time alone in their room. If these symptoms go on for at least two weeks, have your teen seen by a doctor. When left untreated, depression can increase the risk for suicide. Start with a visit to your family doctor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. The doctor will tailor treatment to your teen. Often treatment includes medicine, usually a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. Examples are Prozac and Lexapro. Adolescents who are on these drugs need to be watched very carefully for side effects, like nervousness, irritability, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Most teens with depression feel better if they talk to someone. Meeting with a therapist can help them identify the negative thoughts that are causing their depression, and turn those thoughts around. Teens may meet with a therapist alone, with their family, or as part of a support group. Depression can affect every aspect of your teen's life, from school to relationships. Teens who are depressed are more likely to start using drugs or alcohol. Antidepressants and talk therapy can be very good at relieving depression. So if you suspect your teen is depressed, talk about it, and ask for help from a doctor or therapist you trust. Most important, call for help right away if you're afraid your teen might be thinking about suicide. Signs include giving away possessions, talking about hurting themselves, and pulling away from family and friends. Any suicidal thoughts need immediate medical attention.

  • Adolescent depression

    Animation

    •  

    Adolescent depression - Animation

    Teenagers are typically moody. They can go from upbeat to moping in a matter of seconds. It's normal for teens to feel sad from time to time, but when that sadness sticks around day after day, it could be depression. Let's talk about adolescent depression. Teens have a lot of pressures in their lives that can lead to depression. They're growing physically, and dealing with a new surge of hormones. They're fighting for more independence from their parents while trying to figure out their place in the world. Some kids are bullied at school or abused at home. Others are faced with major life changes, like their parents' divorce or the loss of a loved one. Kids who are very critical of themselves or who have low self-esteem are more likely to get depressed. Those with learning disorders, ADHD, or anxiety are also more prone to depression. So, how do you know that your teen is depressed? Look for signs like: irritability, fatigue, trouble eating, sleeping, or concentrating, teens who are depressed may start using drugs or alcohol, their attitude changes... once good kids may start misbehaving, missing curfews and acting up to their parents and teachers. Also, their grades may drop and they may spend more time alone in their room. If these symptoms go on for at least two weeks, have your teen seen by a doctor. When left untreated, depression can increase the risk for suicide. Start with a visit to your family doctor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. The doctor will tailor treatment to your teen. Often treatment includes medicine, usually a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. Examples are Prozac and Lexapro. Adolescents who are on these drugs need to be watched very carefully for side effects, like nervousness, irritability, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Most teens with depression feel better if they talk to someone. Meeting with a therapist can help them identify the negative thoughts that are causing their depression, and turn those thoughts around. Teens may meet with a therapist alone, with their family, or as part of a support group. Depression can affect every aspect of your teen's life, from school to relationships. Teens who are depressed are more likely to start using drugs or alcohol. Antidepressants and talk therapy can be very good at relieving depression. So if you suspect your teen is depressed, talk about it, and ask for help from a doctor or therapist you trust. Most important, call for help right away if you're afraid your teen might be thinking about suicide. Signs include giving away possessions, talking about hurting themselves, and pulling away from family and friends. Any suicidal thoughts need immediate medical attention.

    A Closer Look

     

    Self Care

     
     

    Review Date: 11/18/2016

    Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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