 Adolescents and children have need for a caring adult to support and understand them when they are feeling depressed. Family members can encourage them by talking about their worries, listening and making suggestions to solve some of their problems.
If parents think that their child’s unhappiness is more than a passive phase, they have to conduct their general practitioner. Some practitioners are good at teasing out what may hide behind continual stomach aches and emotional outbursts. If there are some problems at home, children prefer to talk to someone who doesn’t touch this problem. Practitioner can outline the different types of help available and perhaps refer you to specialist if it necessary.
A teacher, school counselor, priest or special needs coordinator are all people who will help your child, discuss his or her difficulties and offer their support.
Treatment of teen depression may involve short-term psychotherapy, medicine or a combination of the two, together with target interferences at home and school.
Psychotherapy
Research has proved that particular types of short-term psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavior therapy can help lessen depression in teenagers. This therapy helps people realize and change negative attitudes they may hold and think more positively.
A family may be part of teen depression. Family therapy involves the whole family looking at how it deals with life changes. Individual therapy is helpful for some teenagers who are feeling very depressed.
Medication
Antidepressant medications are effective in case of teen depression, especially when they combined with psychotherapy. Researches have been shown that modern antidepressants are safe and effective for young people.
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