Parenting A Depressed Teen

​This is the second time this blog has covered depression, so if you are looking for information about depression in adults, feel free to check out the post titled: Accessible Steps in Fighting Depression. Today, I’ll focus on exploring how depression can present in children and adolescents, which sometimes appears differently than in adults. The DSM 5 TR by the American Psychiatric Association notes two diagnostic differences in children with depression. First, rather than having a down or depressed mood nearly every day, depressed children may instead present with frequent irritability (APA, 2022). An important caveat is that the irritable mood must be distinct from the child's observed pattern of becoming irritable when frustrated (APA, 2022).  Second, rather than noticeable weight loss or gain, children who are depressed may instead fall short of expected growth metrics as predicted by their doctor (APA, 2022).
 
Since children’s lives often revolve around play, school attendance, and social activity, early signs of depression to watch out for include a sudden drop in grades or a decreased interest in taking part in previously enjoyed activities (sports, spending time with friends, etc.). Other signs could be decreased energy and/or difficulty with thinking and concentration (APA, 2022). Childhood depression may also manifest as social withdrawal (APA, 2022).
 
Parents may feel overwhelmed upon learning that their child may be depressed and may be unsure of how to navigate this development. One helpful tip is to have patience in interactions with the child and model positive and healthy life practices. Good sleep, exercise, and eating can all help alleviate depression, and modeling an optimistic attitude can help children avoid slipping into despair. Encourage your child to spend more time with family and to avoid withdrawing from friends and social activities, as isolation can worsen depression.
 
If you have experience with depression yourself, don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and empathize with your child. Make sure to emphasize that depression is often temporary and that there is no stigma in feeling that way. If you are concerned that your child may be having suicidal thoughts, or if they confide in having suicidal thoughts, do not shame or stigmatize these thoughts. Suicidal thoughts are common in depression, do not indicate that a child will take their own life, and may be scary for a child to be vulnerable about these thoughts. In fact, it is much better for your child to feel comfortable sharing when they are having unsafe thoughts than it is for them to be scared and keep them secret. If your child does verbalize suicidal thoughts, it is recommended to seek out therapy or crisis services and take simple steps to maintain safety, such as locking up guns, removing unsupervised access to sharp objects, and making sure that pills and other potentially poisonous substances are accounted for. Crisis services are generally available at local community mental health centers or at local hospitals.
 
 
Works Cited
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Association.