| Down in the Dumps – or Clinical Depression? |
| Written by Carmen Wyatt | |
| Monday, 25 August 2008 | |
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When adolescence can be so hard for parents to read, how can we tell if our son or daughter is depressed?
For some youth, however, the behaviors and emotions that come with adolescence mask deeper feelings of hopelessness and despair that are part of depression. When a teen is depressed, school, relationships, family life and physical health may all suffer as he or she struggles with this disorder. In some cases, depression may even lead to suicide. Very often, depressed youth think no one else feels the way they do, and no one will understand if they talk about it. But in Canada, about six per cent of boys and 12 per cent of girls between 12 and 19 are clinically depressed at any point in time, and 3.2 million are at risk. When adolescence can be so hard for parents to read, how can we tell if our son or daughter is depressed, rather than just feeling rebellious or moody? A recent difficulty such as a relationship breakup, family strife or a perceived failure can trigger depression, though often there is no obvious cause. Changes in behavior might be what you notice. “If your teen is suddenly not interested in an activity he or she is usually enthusiastic about, that’s one major clue,” says Kimberley Feist, Youth Educator for the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region. “Another important clue is if he or she is avoiding spending time with friends.” Other signs include feeling helpless or hopeless, difficulty concentrating, eating or sleeping more or less than usual, or having more or less energy than usual. If five or more of these signs are present for two weeks or more, depression should be suspected. If your teen is showing symptoms of depression, what’s the best thing to do? Start a conversation using non-judgmental language pointing out behavior you’ve noticed. For example, “I’ve noticed over the past couple of weeks you haven’t seen your friends at all. That’s pretty unusual for you. Has anything changed?” is one way to start. Sometimes involving another adult such as a relative, family friend, teacher or spiritual leader your teen trusts can be helpful. Access Mental Health (403-943-1500), Distress Centre Calgary (403-266-1605) and, for your teen, Teen Line (403-264-8336) can give advice about what to do next and direct you to agencies that can help. It’s also a good idea to talk to teachers and school counsellors to see if they’ve noticed changes in behavior or mood and tell them your concerns. Visit your family doctor to rule out other physical causes and to discuss possible treatment options. Depression is very treatable and the sooner treatment starts, the sooner things can get back to normal for your teen. Talk to your kids about depression even if it’s not a concern right now. Tell them to ask for help if they think they need it; but keep your eyes and ears open in case they – you know – act like a teenager and don’t want to bring it up.
If five or more of these signs are present for two weeks or more, depression should be suspected. |
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