Troubled Teenagers and Depression

When Being In Trouble Is A Symptom Of Something Else

It's important to remember that troubled teenagers suffering from depression need your support.

This can be difficult if your patience is being pushed to the limit by a teen who is involved in risk taking behavior.

They may be in trouble constantly for breaking school rules, or worse, breaking the law. You may find yourself visiting the Emergency Department of your local hospital on a regular basis with a teen that has been injured during what seem like a string of senseless pranks, like jumping from balconies, leaping out of trees into the river, surfing on car roofs.

Perhaps your teen just doesn't seem to value life much?

It could be that they are in with a bad crowd, or they may be depressed.

At the other end of the scale, you may have a teen that seems to be permanently attached to their bed, won’t speak to anyone except via text messages or some kind of online chat, and flies into a housebreaking rage if you try to change their sheets.

Yes, it could be just a phase, or they may be depressed.

Whether you have a troubled teen that seems out of control or a completely withdrawn individual, there is help available.

What Can be Done to Help Troubled Teenagers?

The main treatment for depression in teenagers is:

Psychological therapy

• This is a counselling based therapy and is often used the first option before psychiatrists and medication.
• Psychologists provide tools for coping with negative ‘self talk’ and how to deal with stress.

Psychiatric care

• A psychiatrist will use medication to help ‘lift’ the depressed mood.
• Antidepressants may take a while to work and can sometimes have side effects but the overall results can be remarkable.
• Psychiatric care is most effective when used in conjunction with counseling or care from a psychologist.

Help your teenager to be patient with their treatment. It may take a while for counseling to make any impact and/or for medication to ‘kick in’.

It isn’t unusual for people to feel nausea or discomfort on medication in the first few weeks. Ask the psychiatrist to provide information about side effects and how to cope.

Where To Go For Help For Troubled Teenagers

Use the following list to make up your support network. If your teen isn't comfortable seeing your family doctor, they may find someone in a support group they like.

Keep trying until you find people you feel you can trust.

• Your family doctor
• Mental health professionals: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors.
• Community mental health centers
• Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
• Hospital emergency rooms in times of crisis
• School counselors
• State hospital outpatient clinics
• Mental health support groups
• Family service/social agencies
• Private clinics and facilities
• Your friends and family
• Your teenager’s friends

Don’t forget to check in the phone book for local services under:

• mental health
• health
• health services
• suicide prevention
• crisis intervention services
• hotlines
• hospitals
• physicians

Your doctor is a good place to start. They will be able to put you in contact with all the relevant services available in your area.

Knowing that you are supporting them and on their side can help troubled teenagers to ride out the days or weeks until their appointment

Teen Suicide

If you have a troubled teenager who suffers from depression then you must know what to look out for.

Sometimes, suicide can be a quick decision based on a single traumatic event. Again, know what to look out for.

Read more here...

Why Do Teenagers Take Drugs?

You can help them make better choices for themselves if you know what you are up against.

Read more here...

Teenagers Drinking Alcohol

If you've been reading the newspaper lately, you'll have seen that teenage binge drinking is becoming a very real problem.

Everyone enjoys a social drink or a cooling beer on a hot day. Just be aware that alcohol and teenagers is a dangerous mix.

Read more here...

Talking to Teens

With our greater wisdom and experience it's easy to jump in and give advice or a lecture.

Communication between you and your teenager is of enormous importance. Take the time to get it right.

Read more here...

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