Teen Depression Treatment without Losing Your Child
Until recently, it was thought that children and teens don’t get depressed. Parents used to think that these young ones actually had nothing to worry about as long as most of their needs are provided. Sadly, they do. Recent statistics place suicide as the third leading cause of death, and most suicide incidences in teens are caused by untreated depression. Other worrying statistics about teen depression include; 
- The average age of depression is 14 years
- By the time they are 20, 20% of adolescents will have experienced depression.
- More than 70 percent of teens who undergo treatment often show reduction in symptoms. However, only 20% of these teens usually get any treatment for their depression.
- Untreated depression can lead to alcohol and drug abuse. Depression may also cause academic failure as well as eating and sleeping disorders.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the depression, the teen can be treated by counseling or using medications.
Psychotherapy – Counseling as a treatment for depression is also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy. It is diagnosed for teens with mild or moderate depression. The main aim of psychological treatment is to teach patients and their families or guardians to understand both themselves and the nature of their depression. They are taught how to deal with low moods and introduced to alternative, more productive behaviors. These kids also learn to manage their relationships and are taught to develop useful strategies for stressors associated with their depression.
The teen, family, teachers and the therapist must work together for successful treatment.
Antidepressant medication – severe depression or what is medically known as major depression is treated using one or more medication plans in addition to psychotherapy. Medication is prescribed by a pediatrician or a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is simply a medical doctor who specializes in treatment of mental health problems.
Treatment with antidepressants helps reestablish normal balance of chemicals in the brain. Classes of antidepressants that can be used in treatment of depression in teens include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). As a parent or guardian of the teen, you should discuss the pros and cons of the prescribed medication beforehand. You may also want to know how long the antidepressants will take before there are observable changes.
Please call 866-889-3665 or click below to speak to a Visions professional about teen depression treatment.
