Supporting Teens: How Can I Help Someone With Depression?
Depression is serious, and often teens who struggle with depression cannot get through it alone. Approximately one in eight teens is depressed. Depression is treatable and the earlier you recognize signs of your depression, the sooner you can reach out to help them.
As the parent or friend of a teen, it can be hard to tell if they are depressed or just “being a teenager.” Many parents report thinking their child would feel better with time. They realized later that depression was the underlying issue, and that their child needed help to deal with their depression.
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Symptoms of Depression in Teens
Teens have large mood and behavior swings but bounce back from low points rather quickly. A teen struggling with depression, on the other hand, will show some or all these signs consistently over several weeks to months. If the latter is the case for you, then you may want to consider seeking out help.
Common Signs of Depression:
- A lack of motivation
- Hopelessness
- Sad, angry, or empty feelings
- Withdrawal from friends and isolation
- Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Expressing thoughts of suicide or apathy towards life
- Aches and pains with no apparent cause
- Consistent fatigue, even with lots of sleep
How to Talk to Your Teen About Being Depressed
A conversation with someone you suspect is depressed should always come from a loving and supportive place. When in doubt, remember: the motto is “connect, don’t correct”.
Start With Yourself
Much like the advice on airplanes to put your oxygen mask on first, start by checking in with yourself. Depressed teens already have a lot of negative thoughts about themselves and the last thing that they need is more judgment.
Start by recognizing any feelings of judgment you may have, so you can set it aside and focus on connecting compassionately with your loved one. Remember that a chemical imbalance in their brain is primarily responsible for their behavior. Approaching these discussions from the right place is important.
Be Direct and Compassionate
When you talk to your loved one about what’s going on, focus on your observations. Start with your observations of the specific behavioral changes you have noticed (remember not to attach judgment to these observations). Be prepared to listen and make sure that you understand them.
Refrain from any lecturing, focusing on connecting with them. Offer to help them get professional support. Therapists can provide assessments to help identify and diagnose if depression is present and can provide ongoing depression counseling to help teens get through it.
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Take Action: How to Support Someone With Depression
It can be difficult to figure out how to support a depressed person, especially when it’s your teen that you’re worried about. There are a few gentle ways you can love and support someone when they’re going through a tough time—or even just if you suspect this may be the case. Either way, your teen will appreciate your involvement and care.
Spend Time Together
Face time is critical, even if your teen doesn’t seem excited about it. Schedule family meals and activities and encourage them to spend time with friends. The things that used to be engaging may not seem worth doing to someone in a depression.
Don’t give up, and even if it looks like your efforts are in vain, the time you are putting in proves to your loved one that they are worth it. Isolation can be one of the most difficult times for a depressed teen.
Get Active
Physical activity is a natural antidepressant. Experts recommend one hour of daily activity and more is better. Go for a walk with your loved one for both quality time and activity. Anything that gets them out of the house and interacting with other people will help.
Studies have also shown how after-school activities help kids deal with depression. Get them involved in activities or sports and set up an incentive plan with a reward for being active. Find a club, volunteering opportunity, or school team that your adolescent is willing to join.
Eat Well
There is a strong connection between diet and mental health. People struggling with depression often lose their appetite or binge on junk foods. Role-model healthy eating habits as a family. Eat lots of fresh vegetables and add healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and grass-fed butter.
Sugar feeds depression, so cut down your child’s consumption of sweets as much as possible. Also, make sure they are getting enough of the following nutrients, as they support healthy and happy brain functioning:
- Vitamin B12
- Omega 3s
- Vitamin D
While these are the most commonly recommended supplemental nutrients, see a doctor or nutritionist for a personalized nutrition plan.
Substance Use and Depression
Depression is often linked as a co-occurring disorder to substance use or addiction. Drinking alcohol and using marijuana, which are the most commonly abused substances among teens, are often used as coping mechanisms. While attempting to escape their depression by using, teens could be digging themselves deeper into the depression cycle, with the substance serving as a temporary mask.
Treatment for Teen Depression and Substance Use
If your son or daughter is struggling with depression and substance use, seeking out the appropriate support is vital. Our approach addresses all the pieces of the puzzle to build a strong foundation for lasting change. Call today to learn more about our programs and to verify insurance benefits.
