Mental Health for Teens
Teen Depression Treatment
Top 21 Questions About Adolescent Depression Treatment Options
Top 21 Questions About Adolescent Depression Treatment Options
Teen depression involves intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anger that last over a long period of time.
These feelings can make it difficult to complete daily functions and tasks. They can also make it hard to concentrate, focus, or find motivation.
Teen depression is a serious mental illness. If it goes without treatment, it can cause symptoms to worsen and make it difficult to enjoy life.
Teens deal with a lot when it comes to school, sports, friends, families, jobs, and other responsibilities. Often, depression can go overlooked because some symptoms are normal feelings and behaviors that teens experience.
What are the symptoms of depression specifically in teenagers?
If you or a loved one is experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988, or call 911.
The Continuum of Care
Access a full range of treatments for mental health and substance use disorders. Whether you need a safe residential living community, inpatient care, or outpatient therapy, we have a program to help.
We’re here to help. Even if Sandstone isn’t the right fit, we’ll help you find and take the next step to treat teen depression.
If you suspect you or a loved one could have depression, it is important to reach out to a trusted adult and receive professional help.
A trusted adult could be anyone from a parent, teacher, counselor, or anyone you feel comfortable talking to.
Teen depression can commonly co-occur with substance abuse. Some teens may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult feelings. By doing so, each disorder can begin to worsen the symptoms of the other, even if it provides temporary relief.
Teen depression is a common and treatable mental illness.
According to the NIH, in 2020, about 2.9 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year.
Mood disorders involve consistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, and a fluctuation between extreme feelings of happiness and extreme feelings of sadness.
According to MentalHealth.gov, depression is one of the most common mood disorders, along with bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.
Personality disorders involve patterns of behavior, feelings, and thinking that can interfere with someone’s daily life and cause problems at work, school, and personal or social relationships.
Common personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Talking to a trusted adult can help teens get the support and the help they need.
Often, teens may not know how to communicate their feelings and suppress them until they get worse.
Having a strong support network makes all the difference in treating teen mental health illnesses. Age-specific treatment involves building a supportive peer network and also involves the whole family.
Spending quality time with family and friends can provide a healthy distraction from difficult feelings and give people a chance to be open and communicative. Sometimes, people need a reminder that they are not alone and have people who care for them.
Being outside while doing these things can help relieve stress and give you a breath of fresh air.
By engaging in physical activity, your brain releases chemicals, such as endorphins, which can help you feel better. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and eating healthy foods can also impact your mental health.
Many teenagers may struggle with a lack of sleep due to homework, stress, video games, and social media. A lack of sleep can cause issues in teens related to concentration, poor grades, and worsened anxiety or depression.
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 49.5 percent of adolescents ages 13 to 18 had any mental disorder. Mental disorders are common in teens and young adults, which is why it is so important to reach out and get support.
According to MedlinePlus, teen depression can be caused by several different factors. This can include; genetics, brain biology, hormones, and traumatic or stressful life events.
The teen brain is going through major development.
Certain parts of the brain are responsible for functions such as; impulse control, decision making, planning, and prioritizing. Because these skills are still developing in teens and young adults, it can make them more likely to engage in risky behaviors and make them more vulnerable to stress.
Anxiety and depression are both stress-related mental disorders. Teens also need a lot of sleep, and many don’t get a sufficient amount.
A lack of sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating, increased impulsivity, and an increase in irritability and depression.
Teen depression treatment typically involves psychotherapy or medicine, or both.
Examples of talk therapy include cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
The amount of time it takes to treat teen depression is unique to each individual.
What is the most effective treatment for adolescent depression?
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is commonly prescribed for teen and adolescent depression.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, involves seeing a therapist, a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor. Talk therapy typically happens with a licensed, trained mental health professional in an individual or group setting.
Talk therapy allows teens and young adults to share their emotions and feelings. The NIH explains how talk therapy helps people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Sometimes, a doctor will prescribe medication along with therapy.
There are a few antidepressants that have been studied and proved to help teens.
Depression treatment at Sandstone Care is designed specifically for teens by involving family therapy, fun and experiential treatment, vocational and academic support, co-occurring disorder treatment, and establishing a strong support network.
Each person’s treatment is individualized to fit their own needs.
It is understood that the causes of depression and mental health disorders are unique to each teen. With that being said, treatment is designed specifically for each person.
The goal of teenage depression treatments is to help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression so that life can become more enjoyable.
Treatment helps teens identify problems, learn healthy coping mechanisms and skills, and apply them to the “real world.”
Teenage depression treatment aims to help teens and their family members heal.
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We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
