All teens struggle with feelings of sadness, mood swings and stress. Some learn how to cope with those issues in healthy ways, but some teens develop depression, which is characterized by sadness, irritability, thoughts of suicide, issues with eating and sleeping, trouble concentrating, fatigue, restlessness, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Teens who suffer from depression should get professional help to deal with the mental health disorder.
Basics
Every teen is different, and the form of treatment and duration of treatment will depend on each teen independently. For instance, one teen may need medication and psychotherapy to reduce the symptoms of depression and another teen might only require psychotherapy. The parents and teen should work with the therapist, psychiatrist and doctor to come up with the best plan possible.
Types
There are two main forms of treatment for adolescent depression, and they are medication and psychotherapy. The most common form of medication used to treat depression is antidepressants. More specifically, SSRIs, a type of antidepressant, are usually the first medication prescribed. The side effects of these medications vary depending on the person taking them. One teen may feel positive results after trying one SSRI and another teen may have to try different medications before finding one that's effective and that doesn't have negative side effects.
Most therapists would suggest a combination of individual and family therapy for a teen who's depressed. Family therapy can be critical to the teen's treatment, because the teen's family has much more influence and interaction with the teen than a therapist. Issues in the family may also play a significant role in the teen's depression. The most common type of individual psychotherapy used to treat adolescent depression is cognitive behavioral therapy in which the therapist works with the teen to show him how his thoughts affect his emotions and behavior.
Considerations
When parents are looking for treatment for their teen, they should find a mental health professional who specializes in working with adolescents since the treatment is different for teens and adults. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, early diagnosis and treatment will improve the chances of treatment being a success. If parents recognize signs or symptoms of depression, they should get treatment for their teen as soon as possible.
Complications
When a teen has other mental health issues, such as anxiety and substance abuse problems, treatment might take longer and be less successful. A teen who has a dual diagnosis of substance use and mental health problems will need more intensive treatments focused on both issues. Also, teens who are violent or participate in reckless behavior such as drinking and driving may need more intensive therapies, such as residential treatment.
Warning
Teens who are suicidal due to depression need immediate treatment. To get treatment for a teen who's suicidal, call the police or take her to your local psychiatric emergency room. A short psychiatric hospitalization might be needed to ensure the teen's safety.
