How To Support A Teenager With Depression
Parents of teenagers with depression often wonder what they can do to provide meaningful support to their child. At times, it may seem like nothing seems to help relieve their symptoms. Not knowing how to help can also take a toll on a parent or caregiver’s own mental health. Here, we’ll discuss common symptoms of depression in teens, ways to encourage professional treatment, and options for both teens and parents to seek mental health support.
How depression in teens is diagnosed
While some parents might think they can tell that a teen is experiencing depression, only a licensed mental health professional can provide a diagnosis. A licensed therapist typically has to assess a person’s symptoms and their severity and frequency in order to provide a diagnosis. The assessment process may also involve a physical exam to rule out any potential medical causes of symptoms in a teen’s life or health history. That said, it can be important for parents and caregivers to get familiar with common signs of depression in teens so they can know when to seek help for their child.
Clinical criteria for a depression diagnosis in teens
A teen may be diagnosed with major depression if they meet at least five of the following criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), during a consecutive two-week period. At least one symptom must be a depressed mood or loss of interest. The complete criteria are:
“1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.)
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation)
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day (Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gain.)
4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)
9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for suicide”
Symptoms of depression in teens and young adults
Note that depression may sometimes look different in teens than in adults. For example, teens may experience more irritability than sadness, and some may develop disruptive behaviors at school. Teens living with depression might also experience low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating on homework, and less interest in going out with friends.
The symptoms can vary from person to person, and teens might not always discuss what they’re feeling with a family member. They might isolate themselves more from family but be open to discussing what they’re experiencing with a close friend or a therapist. That’s why it can be helpful to offer a teen multiple avenues for receiving support and care.
How to support teens and encourage treatment from a mental health professional
One way that parents can support a teenager with depression is to maintain open lines of communication. For example, parents might state that they are concerned that their teen may not have been feeling well lately and then ask if that’s true, without making assumptions. This type of nonjudgmental approach may make teens feel supported and open to discuss what they’re experiencing.
Encouraging them to seek professional care is usually paramount, since depression symptoms typically don’t resolve without treatment. Caregivers might start this process by asking their teen if they would like to talk to a counselor. Some teens may feel hesitant to seek professional support, but parents might be able to convince them if they tell them they can choose a therapist who makes them feel comfortable.
Parents might also encourage their children by letting them know that many teens see a therapist for various mental health challenges. If it helps, parents might consider sharing statistics on the topic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, 13.8% of children and adolescents aged five to 17 saw a therapist or counselor for their mental health—which amounts to nearly one in seven young people. Discussing this information with a teen may make them feel less hesitant to get the help they deserve for symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions.
Online support for a teenager with depression
Some teens may feel reluctant to see a therapist in a traditional office setting. They might have misconceptions about what happens during therapy based on portrayals from movies or TV, or they might find it hard to leave the house and meet with a professional due to symptoms of depression or social anxiety. In these cases, parents might consider setting their teen up with online therapy.
With a platform like TeenCounseling, teens can get matched with a therapist who has experience treating teen depression or other mental health challenges they may be experiencing. With this platform, teens can choose a mode of remote communication that’s comfortable for them: phone calls, video calls, live chat, or a combination of these methods.
In recent years, numerous peer-reviewed studies have indicated the potential effectiveness of online therapy. One systematic review and meta-analysis, for instance, studied the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. The researchers looked at 17 studies, and their findings suggest that online therapy can be even more effective than in-person therapy for depression symptoms.
Support for parents
Parents of teens might also consider speaking with a mental health professional themselves. A licensed counselor may be able to provide parents with personalized strategies for communicating with their teen about mental health and encouraging them to seek help.
Plus, caring for a teen who is living with depression can sometimes be stressful for parents. A therapist may be able to provide advice for parents to care for their own mental health as they seek to support their teens. Caregivers can find a provider in their local area or explore an online therapy platform for adults like BetterHelp.
Takeaway
Parents of teens with depression may find it helpful to openly discuss mental health at home. They might also consider asking their teen if they’d like to speak with a mental health professional, emphasizing how common it is for teens to seek support. You can search for a mental health care provider for your teen in your area or connect them with a therapist online. As a parent or caregiver, you might also benefit from seeking mental health support.
How can you recognize symptoms of depression in teens?
According to the Child Mind national institute, teens who are experiencing depression often show low mood and/or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may also experience irritability and difficulty focusing on homework or tasks at home. Only a mental health professional can diagnose depression, but recognizing the warning signs as their parent or caregiver can empower you to seek support on their behalf.
How can you help a teenager with depression?
Some teens might feel hesitant to receive help for depression. They might not know that what they are experiencing is clinical depression, or they might be affected by stigma. Parents may be able to support their teens by openly talking about mental health in the household and connecting their child with resources for mental health, like counseling.
What can teens and young adults do to relieve depression?
Depression typically requires professional treatment to address. In addition, teens and young adults living with depression may find that regular self-care strategies can be helpful. For example, teens may find that it helps to create a plan for their eating or sleeping habits. Also, getting some exercise three days per week may provide more energy. Research suggests that exercise can lead to the release of endorphins, one of the body’s feel-good hormones.
How can a mental health professional help teens with depression?
A mental health professional may be able to help teens by using evidence-based therapy methods. According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, two common, evidence-based methods of talk therapy for adolescent depression are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.
What are medications for depression in teens?
A specialist in adolescent psychiatry may prescribe certain medications depending on a person’s medical and family history and symptom severity. For example, a doctor may prescribe escitalopram or fluoxetine. For teens who experience symptoms more in line with bipolar disorder, a doctor may prescribe lurasidone or a combination medication containing olanzapine and fluoxetine.
What mental disorders co-occur in teens with depression?
Teens who experience certain mental health disorders, such as anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may be at a higher risk of also developing depression. According to research published in 2019, teens living with depression tend to have higher rates of substance use (formerly referred to as “substance abuse”) as well.
Is depression caused by bad parenting?
Depression is caused by many factors, including environmental and genetic ones. In some cases, mental health problems and disorders like anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and other mental health problems can be caused by abuse or toxic parenting. However, poor parenting in itself is not necessarily always going to lead to depression. Some people with healthy, happy families also develop depression. Depressed teens can come from any background, and depression treatment doesn’t discriminate based on the cause of symptoms. If you notice your teen is struggling with any mental health challenges, consider finding them support, as health problems can worsen without treatment.
How can a teenager with depression be motivated?
Teens with depression may be motivated by receiving support for their symptoms. If they’ve lost interest in schoolwork or are showing troublesome behaviors, parents may go beyond seeking a school counselor to look for treatment such as therapy or medication. Often, antidepressant medication can be effective in increasing motivation and reducing extreme sensitivity to emotions. Medications can also reduce suicidal thinking and angry outbursts, which may increase a teen’s focus and, therefore, their motivation and inspiration.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which medication or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. Do not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
Can puberty cause depression?
Puberty increases certain hormones that may increase sensitivity to emotions, such as testosterone (associated with irritability) and estrogen (associated with tearfulness and emotional sensitivity). If your teen is showing more mental health struggles than other children, it can be extremely important to reach out for support from a therapist or counselor. Talking to your child’s pediatrician can also be helpful, as they may be able to prescribe some antidepressant medications. Some changes in mood during puberty are expected. However, severe changes in sleeping habits, changed mood, appetite difficulties, and frequent outbursts are not normal and may be a sign of depression and other mood or affective disorders.
What does depression in a 13-year-old look like?
Most teens can experience similar depressive symptoms to those seen in adults, such as lack of motivation, a prolonged low mood, and suicidal thoughts. However, teens may be more prone to mood swings, anger, and self-harm. Suicide prevention starts with noticing the signs of mental health conditions like depression in teens. As teens are at a high risk of suicide, taking depression seriously, spending time with your teen, and comparing their behavior to other kids may be helpful. Call or text the suicide hotline at 988 if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors. LGBTQ+ teens can also use the hotline offered by the Trevor Project at (866) 488-7386 or through the online chat on their website. According to the American Psychiatric Association, an online therapist may also be a helpful resource for people with depression, regardless of age.
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