Teen Depression
What is Teen Depression? Teen Depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by abnormally low moods that persist for two or more weeks. Depression prevents individuals from functioning normally in their day-to-day activities. Although a depressive episode may last only a few weeks, teen depression often lasts much longer.
There are as many misconceptions about Teen Depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self.
Teen Depression symptoms are commonly mistaken for sullenness, rebellion or a bad attitude. As a result, Teen Depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. In such cases, Teen Depression can worsen becoming much more severe.
Symptoms of depression in adults are similar in many ways to symptoms of Teen Depression. However, some signs of depression are much more prevalent in teens. Knowing the signs of Teen Depression can help you as a parent, teacher or loved one recognize it in someone you care about.
Some of the symptoms or signs are:
- Aggression
- Anger or hostility
- Anxiety
- Apathy and lack of energy
- Being bullied
- Changes in appetite and/or weight fluctuations
- Changes in sleeping patterns (i.e. oversleeping or insomnia)
- Complaining about failure to meet goals and/or your ideals
- Cutting or other forms of self-injury (although you may not see any wounds, wearing long sleeves on a hot day may indicate self-injury)
- Fatigue
- Feelings of guilt, self-blame, and worthlessness
- Feelings of sadness and/or hopelessness
- Frequent crying spells
- Increased sensitivity to criticism
- Indecisiveness
- Inexplicable pain (headaches or back pain)
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Low self esteem
- Memory problems
- Poor academic performance
- Restlessness or agitation
- Sluggish actions or speech
- Talking about death and suicide (expressing the wish to be dead)
- The presence of other anxiety disorders, eating disorders, or behavioral disorders
- Use of alcohol and drugs
- Violent or risky behavior
- Withdrawal from family and friends
Triumph Youth Services provides a small, highly structured family-type environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors.
Our Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) approach utilizes individual therapy mixed with group and family therapy to treat each youth’s issues. In addition to the therapy, the Positive Peer Culture utilized in Triumph Youth Services facilities help the youth process their issues and build skills for their own personal progress. This includes consistent group counseling and peer mentoring, which are crucial for helping teens with depression.
Our staff members are trained and encouraged to be effective leaders by serving as teachers or coaches who hold the young men responsible for working on problems and to act as limit setters and good listeners.
The clinicians at Triumph Youth Services are highly trained and have extensive experience working with adolescent youth. Our clinicians are licensed and approved as mental health professionals to provide individual, group and family therapy.
Call Triumph Youth Services. We are here to help.
