Depression or Just Normal Teenage Angst?

It can be hard to separate the normal trials and tribulations of the teen age years from more serious emotional issues. There can be a fine line between taking the "wait and see" approach and seeking a professional opinion. The decision for parents may be based on your gut, what you feel and maybe instinctively know about your child. It should also be based on what you hear, don't hear as well as observe about your child. Getting some feedback from teachers, friends, relatives and perhaps your other children can be helpful as well. The difficulty parents have has much to do with the fact that depression can be a reaction to normal life stresses that the parent understands and recognizes. If your child was really counting on playing softball in high school and then doesn't make the team, or her best friend moves away you will likely see a child that appears sad, depressed. You know this is a normal and even healthy reaction. As a parent, your job is to supportive and listen when they talk, but in all likelihood the feelings of sadness will pass and your child will move on to new activities and new friends. Hopefully the new activities and friends are healthy ones. We all know that teens have their ups and downs. Struggles to gain independence and take control of their life are what we expect from teenagers. For some, the struggle involves anger, annoyance, uncertainty, frustration and some poor decisions. It's all a matter of degree. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 15%-20% of teenagers experience a serious depression. It's important to know if your child is among that group.

Depression can be diagnosed when there is evidence of a persistent feeling of sadness, changes in eating and sleeping habits, changing and poor relationships with family and friends, and a loss of interest in activities, anger, frustration and problems in school. You can understand why the diagnosis can be difficult to make as many of these feelings and behaviors are typical, though generally transient in teenagers. It's the persistence, the fact that it doesn't go away that makes it different. It can also be the degree of the feelings and behaviors. Any talk or evidence of suicidal ideas must be taken seriously. Any behavior that is dangerous or puts the child and or other at risk has to be taken seriously. Serious means urgent. You need to consult with a professional ASAP in these situations. If you aren't sure where to go in your community, call your child's school and ask for a referral. You can also call your local hospitals or look for the phone number to your local mental health center. It's likely that your county government will be able to refer you to the correct agency for assistance. If you have private insurance, you will also want to call the insurance company and ask them for mental health professionals that accept payment from your plan.

The treatment of depression involves talking it out with a professional and may involve medication, depending on a doctor's assessment of your child. Depression can be, but is not necessarily a chronic illness. Your child may take medication for a period of time while working with a therapist, and then come to a point where the medication is no longer needed. The doctor and the therapist will be reassessing the need for medication and the course of therapy regularly. A thorough assessment of your child will include a complete physical to rule out any under lying medical issues that can cause depressive symptoms. It will also be critical to understand any substance abuse or use. There will also be an assessment of the family situation. This is an extremely important component towards assuring the best outcome for your child, so be honest and open with the professionals. A depressed teen can't be treated in a vacuum; there really is no magic pill. Understanding the influence and context of the teen's family, community and school is absolutely necessary. Understanding and treating depression as an illness is key to good treatment. Make sure you are working with qualified health professionals who are experienced in the treatment of teenagers and depression. Ask questions and make sure you understand the plan for your child. The best outcomes come with knowledge and planning.