Treatment Options for Depressed Teenagers

(418 Words)
Depression is all too common in teenagers. Modern teenagers may be dealing with a number of stressors in their home and school life. When a teenager is diagnosed with depression there are a number of treatment options that may prove useful. The exact treatment will depend on the severity and exact characteristics of the child and his or her condition.
Talk therapy
According to helpguide.org, a non-profit organization, talk therapy is an excellent option for teenagers that are depressed. It does not carry the risks and side effects that medication carries. There are many psychologists and mental health counselors that specialize in teenagers and their problems. They use different approaches.
One common type of therapy for depression is cognitive therapy. This method focuses on changing the thoughts of teenagers. For instance, if a teenager is always telling himself internally that he stupid and unattractive, then cognitive therapy will teach him to stop these thoughts and instead replace them with positive ones (I am smart, I am attractive).
In some cases, family therapy may be useful, especially if problems within the family unit play a part in the depression. Counseling is an especially useful method with depression that is moderate or mild.
Medication
Various antidepressants such as Prozac are utilized in teenagers who experience depression. These can be effective in certain cases, but they can also be dangerous. Researchers worry about an effect on brain development in teenagers who are still growing. Some studies have also shown an increased risk of suicide, prompting a “black box” warning label by the FDA. The greatest time of risk is in the first two months of the antidepressant.
Other measures
There are many activities that can help supplement the treatment that a teenager gets for depression. Teenagers should be encouraged to be physically active. Some studies have shown some efficacy in the use of exercise as a treatment for mild depression. It is also helpful if the child is involved in social activities. Being alone will often exacerbate depression, and having a strong social network can help him or her get through it better.
It is vital for teenagers who have depression to get help. Teenagers may have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms, thus it is up to parents, teachers and other loved ones to help the child get the help he or she needs. Without treatment it can become severe. Even teenagers are vulnerable to tragic consequences such as suicide. With treatment many do recover to lead happy and normal lives.