Depression among the young adult population does occur and may be hard for parents to deal with because of the new relationship they have with their adult child. Depression may occur among young adults as they move away to college or begin their career. Parents may be the first to recognize the signs of a depressed child, and it may be important that action be taken early to get treatment. According to HelpGuide.org, effective depression treatments will generally require lifestyle changes, outside support and an individualized treatment plan.
Step 1
Educate yourself on depression; this will be beneficial to your ability to deal with your child's depression, notes the MayoClinic.com. Having your child develop depression upon entering adulthood may be the first personal encounter you have had with the disorder, so your knowledge of the disorder may be limited. Learn how depression has affected others by getting firsthand stories of depression through reading nonfiction accounts of depression and talking with people who have had a personal experience.
Step 2
Accept depression as a mental health illness. Depression is a severe mental health disorder that will negatively impact all areas of a person's life and cannot be easily overcome. Understand that many of the behaviors--such as lack of motivation, fatigue, irritability and hopelessness--being displayed by your adult child are due to the depression. Avoid reacting negatively with insults or other attacks.
Step 3
Encourage your adult child to visit with a mental health professional, such as the counseling services on her college campus or a local therapist. The depression may make your child unmotivated to take action or even recognize her depression, but as a parent, you can still have influence in the life of your child well into adulthood. Escort your child to her first appointment if she will let you. Give your child a letter with a list of symptoms and behaviors you have seen her display that led you to believe depression may be the reason. This will provide her with something to share with the therapist if she decides to do so.
Step 4
Enable your adult child to make necessary changes to his lifestyle to reduce the symptoms of depression. Offer college students the chance to take a semester off or reduce their class load as they work to reduce their depression symptoms. Let your adult child move back home if this is recommended by the therapist as a way to increase socialization and reduce stress. Invite your child to do things with you in an effort to increase socialization, such as going out to dinner, going to a movie or visiting other relatives.
Step 5
Maintain your support. A depressed child, even when she reaches adulthood, will require support from those close to her to overcome her depression. Always make an effort to talk with her about her day and share positive thoughts and stories with her regularly. Avoid focusing only on how she is feeling. Gently encourage her to think about her future. Regularly tell her that you care and will always be there for her.
