How to help a loved one deal with depression

Depression does affect not only the person who is depressed but also the people they live with. If you are living with a teenager with depression, you can do something about it. First, you need to identify the symptoms of it, offer support, and take the initiative to learn more about depression.

A cranky, moody, and irritable teen may be labelled as ‘acting out’ so it is important to understand that this behavior can be part of the symptoms of depression. Common symptoms include:

• Angry outbursts, even over trivial matters
• Irritability and isolation in their own room
• Changes in appetite – reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings and weight gain
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities

Teens with depression may not be aware they are depressed. Many teens unaware of these symptoms may think their feelings are normal. But this mental health issue can be overcome with support.

As a parent living with a teen who displays signs and symptoms of it, you must talk to your teen about what you have noticed and explain why you are concerned. A teenager needs to understand that it is a medical condition and that it can get better with treatment with a counselor or psychologist. Also, as a parent, let your loved one know that you want to understand how he or she feels. This can be done by just listening and trying to understand, and more importantly not showing ‘any judgements’. Giving positive reinforcement can be very helpful for a teenager who is depressed, especially when they often judge themselves quite harshly. Reminding a loved one about their positive qualities is very beneficial to someone who is depressed.

What you can do for yourself is:

• Learn about it. The better you can understand depression, the more you are able to give support and understand what really matters to a teen dealing with depression.
• Be patient. Depression improves with treatment but finding the best treatment may require trying different approaches to find the best solution. Depression is different for everyone, as some symptoms improve quickly and others may take longer.

Janelle DeLeon

Read More: Don’t wait for your teenager to change, change the way you see them.