By Jean Farley
As the parent of the teenager, you may often feel like you are riding an emotional roller coaster. All teens can be prone to mood swings, but it's important to realize when you are dealing with more than just normal hormonal changes. If your child is suffering from depression, they are going to need your help to get through it. This is not something that often goes away without professional treatment. But how do you know the difference between a normal moody teenager and depression? There are symptoms that you should be aware of and you should always consult a profession if you are unsure.
Around 20% of teens struggle with depression and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in teens. Depression is a serious problem and one warning sign is a decline in school performance. If you see that your teen is starting to do poorly in school, it could be time to get help. Other signs may include high risk behavior, substance abuse, and trouble with relationships. These may be your child's way of crying out for help.
Sometimes this medical condition may show in frequent complaints about illness or pain, and the child may seem sad or blue much of the time. They may lose interest in activities and social relationships that they once enjoyed, and changes in eating habits are a common symptom that is seen in many cases. Anger, irritability, and even anxiety may occur more frequently.
Sleeping problems are also a common complaint in teens who are suffering from depression. You may notice that your son or daughter sleeps much more than usual but they do not wake up rested. Insomnia may also occur, and the teen may be very tired because they can not get into a restful sleep and stay that way for any extended period. This can have an impact on focus and concentration, and can also cause educational difficulties.
Any comments about harming themselves or others should be immediately addressed by a medical professional. This is not something that you should ever hesitate on. If your teen is suffering from depression, their chances of considering or attempting suicide are greatly increased. Unfortunately, many teens succeed on their first attempt, so it is important to seek help early. Therapy can involve a lot of trial and error to find the best combination of medications and psychological help and it may take some time to see significant improvement.
