How to Deal With Teenage Depression
Determining if your teen is actually suffering from depression or if he is just going through the typical mood swings that many teenagers face is a hard call to make. If your teen does not seem to pop out of it, and starts losing interest in things he used to love, you may want to take him in to be evaluated for depression.
- Wait for a little while to see if your teen begins to become more active and starts visiting friends and going places again. If your teen does not start acting more like themselves after about a week or two you may want to get professional help for them.
- Contact a mental health professional and make an appointment for your teen. Mental health professionals are trained to spot signs of depression and will know if your teen is suffering from depression that requires treatment.
- Talk to your teen. It is very important that you talk to your teen daily. Let him know that you are interested in what is going on in his life. If you make it clear that he can come to you if he needs you, more than likely he will. Sometimes, it can be hard to talk to a teenager, but you have to show him that you care and are there.
- Ensure that your teen takes any medications that are prescribed for depression by a qualified mental health physician. These medicines may take time to work, but it is important that he takes the medicine on a regular schedule.
- Enroll your teen in counseling. He may have a lot on his mind that he is not comfortable talking to you about. Teens often overly worry about things such as friends and relationships, which seem insignificant to adults. Your teen may have something weighing on him that he needs to talk about.