Coping with Teenage Depression
The teenage years are among one of the most difficult years that a person has to go through. Adolescents usually try hard to fit in and balance their priorities in life, and oftentimes, their actions are misinterpreted. Teenagers who manifest signs of depressions are often viewed as acting out or branded as attention-seekers. If not given immediate medical attention, depression can have disruptive effects to the adolescent’s life which the individual can carry on until adulthood. Antidepressant medications including Paxil has been prescribed in patients with depression but some filed Paxil lawsuits because of the negative effects of the drug on them. The teenager suffering from depression should be reassured that he/she is not alone and that help can be achieved.
Signs of Teenage Depression
Signs of depression may be generalized but some can be mostly true to a specific population like teenagers and these are:
· Being frequently irritable, sad or annoyed
· Too much or too little sleep
· Sudden weigh gain or weight loss without trying to
· Easily cries on even the most mundane things
· Degree of concentration is decreased
· Feels hopeless or helpless even with constant help and reassurance
· Has thoughts of death and/or suicide
How to Manage Teen Depression
If you notice that your teen has any symptoms of depression, it would be best to act on it immediately. Prompt actions can give more favourable results more so prevent the occurrence of suicide. When you are present with the situation, you are advised to immediately call your physician or a specialist. However, when one is not yet available, you can do the following actions below.
· Support your teenager
Show the adolescent that you are always there no matter what. While doing such, also make it a point not to push yourself too much for they might feel like they are being patronized which may yield the opposite result.
· Learn to listen
Listen to what your teenager has to say. The teenager wants someone who he/she can freely talk to without being lectured.
· Encourage your teenager to open up
Teenagers have issues with their parents because they avoid persons of authority which they can see in their parents. Generally, parents are encouraged to reach out to their teenagers and establish a connection. In teenage depression, the parents or the primary caregivers should exert more effort to make their teenagers comfortable in sharing their feelings and emotions. However, parents must also consider their children’s privacy and sense of security while trying to establish a connection.
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