Teen Depression: What Parents Need to Know - How to Help a Depressed Teen

Teens on Antidepressants: Red Flags To Watch Out For

Call a doctor if you notice...

• New or more thoughts of suicide
• Trying to commit suicide
• New or worse depression
• New or worse anxiety
• Feeling very agitated or restless
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• New or worse irritability
• Acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
• Acting on dangerous impulses
• Being extremely hyperactive in actions and talking (hypomania or mania)
• Other unusual changes in behavior

Source: FDA

What is the risk of antidepressant use in teens?

Antidepressant medication can be helpful, particularly for severe cases of depression. However, medications always come with risks and side effects of their own. When it comes to antidepressant use in teenagers, there are a number of safety concerns that parents should be aware of. Before starting your child on medication, you should carefully weigh the potential benefits against the risks.

Antidepressants and the Teenage Brain

Antidepressants were designed and tested on adults, so their impact on the youthful, developing brain is not yet completely understood. Some researchers are concerned that the use of drugs such as Prozac in children and teens might interfere with normal brain development. Says neuroscientist Amir Raz, "The human brain is developing exponentially when we are very young, and exposure to antidepressants may affect or influence the wiring of the brain, especially when it comes to certain elements that have to do with stress, emotion and the regulation of these."

Antidepressant Suicide Warning for Teens

Secondly, antidepressant medications may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some teenagers. All antidepressants are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) to carry a "black box" warning label about this risk in children and adolescents. In May 2007, the FDA recommended that the warning be expanded to include young adults from ages 18 to 24. The risk of suicide is particularly great during the first one to two months of antidepressant treatment.

Certain young adults are at an even greater risk for suicide when taking antidepressants, including teens with bipolar disorder, a family history of bipolar disorder, or a history of previous suicide attempts.

Teenagers on antidepressants should be closely monitored for any sign that the depression is getting worse. Warning signs include new or worsening symptoms of agitation, irritability, or anger. Unusual changes in behavior are also red flags.

According to FDA guidelines, after starting an antidepressant or changing the dose, your teenager should see their doctor:

• Once a week for four weeks
• Every 2 weeks for the next month
• At the end of their 12th week taking the drug
• More often if problems or questions arise

How can I help my teenager deal with depression?

The most important thing that the parents of depressed teens can do is to let their children know that they are there to listen to them and support them. Now more than ever, your teenager needs to know that he or she is valued, accepted, and cared for.

• Be understanding. Living with a depressed teenager can be difficult and draining. At times, you may experience exhaustion, rejection, despair, aggravation, or any other number of negative emotions. During this trying time, it's important to remember that your child is not being difficult on purpose. Your teen is suffering, so do your best to be patient and understanding.
• Encourage physical activity. Encourage your teenager to stay active. Exercise can go a long way toward relieving the symptoms of depression, so find ways to incorporate it into your teenager's day. Something as simple as walking the dog or going on a bike ride can be beneficial.

• Encourage social activity. Isolation only makes depression worse, so encourage your teenager to see friends and praise efforts to socialize. Offer to take your teen out with friends or suggest social activities that might be of interest, such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art class.

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• Stay involved in treatment. Make sure your teenager is following all treatment instructions and going to therapy. It's especially important that your child takes any prescribed medication as instructed. Track changes in your teen's condition, and call the doctor if depression symptoms seem to be getting worse.
• Learn about depression. Just like you would if your child had a disease you knew very little about, read up on depression so that you can be your own "expert." The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to help your depressed teen. Helpguide's depression series is a good place to start.

Encourage your teenager to learn more about depression as well. Reading up on their condition can help depressed teens realize that they're not alone and give them a better understanding of what they're going through.

The road may be bumpy in getting your depressed teen back to a happy and healthy life. Don't judge yourself or compare your family to others. As long as you're doing your best to get your teen the necessary help, you're doing your job.

How are families affected by teen depression?

As a parent dealing with teen depression, you may find yourself focusing all your energy and attention on your depressed child. Meanwhile, you may be neglecting your own needs and the needs of other family members. While helping your depressed child should be a top priority, it's important to keep your whole family strong and healthy during this difficult time.

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY WHEN A TEEN IS DEPRESSED

Take care of yourself The best thing you can do for a depressed teen is stay healthy and positive yourself, so don't ignore your own needs. The stress of the situation can affect your own moods and emotions, so cultivate your well-being by eating right, getting enough sleep, and making time for things you enjoy.

Reach out for support Get the emotional support you need. Reach out to friends, join a support group, or see a therapist of your own. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, helpless, or angry. The important thing is to talk about how your teen's depression is affecting you, rather than bottling up your emotions.

Be open with the family Don't tiptoe around the issue of teen depression in an attempt to "protect" the other children. Kids know when something is wrong. When left in the dark, their imaginations will often jump to far worse conclusions. Be open about what is going on and invite your children to ask questions and share their feelings.

Remember the siblings Depression in one child can cause stress or anxiety in other family members, so make sure "healthy" children are not ignored. Siblings may need special individual attention or professional help of their own to handle their feelings about the situation.

Avoid the blame game It can be easy to blame yourself or another family member for your teen's depression, but it only adds to an already stressful situation. Furthermore, depression is normally caused by a number of factors, so it's unlikely—except in the case of abuse or neglect—that any loved one is "responsible".

Source:www.Helpguide.org

next: Symptoms of Childhood Depression