The parent’s guide to teenage depression

Posted on October 27, 2021November 19, 2021 by EHN Online

The parent’s guide to teenage depression

Teenage years can be difficult. Adolescents are dealing with changes to their bodies, social circumstances, and the pressures that come with rapidly approaching adulthood. Along with the added pressures of social media, it’s unsurprising that an estimated one in five teens experience depression.¹ What is surprising is that even though depression amongst teens is well documented and common, many teens never receive help. One reason for this is that it can be hard to know the difference between regular teenage moodiness and depression. It’s even harder to know what to do about it.

If you suspect your teen may be depressed or facing another mental health issue, the sooner they receive help, the better their outcomes for recovery. That said, with so much stigma still surrounding mental health and the challenges associated with identifying depression in teens, parents are often left unsure about where to begin. Rest assured that there is information and resources to help you navigate this time.

We recently spoke with Dayna Browne, the youth team lead and counsellor for EHN’s Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program, to get her expert opinion on this topic. You can watch our video with her below.

What is teenage depression? How is it different from depression in adults?

Whether talking about adult or teen depression, there are several signs and symptoms that indicate someone may be suffering. A person does not have to display all symptoms from the following list to be considered depressed, but it is important to consider how long symptoms last for. Someone experiencing even a few signs for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks may be suffering from depression.

Signs to look for include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Fatigue or decreased energy
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease with treatment²

While depression in teens can present in the same way it does in adults, there can be some differences. In speaking to us, Browne said, “Teenage depression is really no different than adult depression, but I do want to really highlight and emphasize that in young people, it can manifest quite differently.”

Along with different triggers and causes, there are several symptoms that are more common in teenagers than adults:

Irritable or angry moods: While depression is often characterized depression by sadness, irritability is often the predominant mood in depressed teens. They may be grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated, or quick to anger.

Body aches and pains: Depressed teens frequently report physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. While these symptoms could be caused by a physical illness, if a doctor can find no other cause, don’t rule out depression.

Sensitivity to criticism: A predominant feeling for many teens experiencing depression is worthlessness, increasing their vulnerability to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is why understanding how to talk to a teen is so important. Browne emphasizes a nonjudgmental and open-ended approach when speaking to teenagers.

Withdrawing from people: Much like adults who tend to isolate when depressed, teenagers may socialize less than before, pull away from their families, hang out with a new social circle or spend time with fewer friends.¹

Is this depression or just teenage moodiness?

There are a few factors parents can look for to distinguish between depression and an everyday bad mood, but namely it helps to consider two things: duration and persistence.

It’s likely that throughout our teenage years, we all will experience many symptoms of depression at some time or the other. That’s just one of the joys of puberty. But when the depressive symptoms persist for weeks, parents should consider other more serious causes.

“The things that parents should really watch out for again is persistent and considerable changes in a youth’s functioning and behaviour. Specifically, so that it interferes with everyday activities that are required, or things that the youth would typically participate in or do.” Browne notes.

She also adds that two weeks is a good length of time to see if symptoms persist and judge if a teen may be experiencing more than just a bad mood.

What causes depression in teens?

Much like how adult and teenage depression may manifest in different ways, teens are facing a unique set of challenges at this phase in their life that contribute to their mental state.

Browne notes “In terms of the reason or the underlying factors [for teenage depression], sometimes it’s biological chemistry. We know that depression has to do with neurotransmitters and other predispositions, however in youth, there could be other sorts of significant triggering events for a young person, something like the loss of a loved one, breakup, friendship and peer difficulties… as well as bullying and other stressors can really impact a youth’s depression level.”

She adds that all these factors can just become too much to handle.

“I think all of these things [triggers] can really cause a sort of spiral in depressive symptoms, and so these are some of the factors we consider when we’re assessing and treating depression in youth.”

Browne’s comments are supported by Stanford Children’s Health, who report that teens face difficulties that they’re ill-equipped to handle emotionally. By nature, they feel powerless against these situations.³

Aside from life events and family history, other factors that play a role in causing depression include social environment, medical conditions, and negative thought patterns. Other possible triggers for teen depression are learning disabilities that make academic success difficult, hormonal changes affecting mood, and physical illness.

How to talk to a depressed teenager

Parents have an opportunity to create a safe space for their teen to discuss their mental health, or even just to feel comfortable with themselves and their thoughts. One of the key aspects to keeping communication open is to ensure you are actively listening instead of lecturing. If your teen comes to you with mental health concerns, offer them a safe space by taking their worries seriously and acknowledging their feelings without judgement.

As a parent, don’t worry about having all the answers right away.⁴ This can be an opportunity to ask open ended questions and learn together without preconceived notions about what your child is experiencing. Like anyone else, sometimes all a teenager wants is to be heard and validated.

As many teens may be reluctant to reach out to their parents for help, it often rests on the parent to open the dialogue. Let them know you’ve noticed a change and want to check in and see if they’re alright.

Once your teen has communicated that they’re struggling, keeping an ongoing dialogue and addressing what can be done is important. This could include asking your teen what they need. They might already have a good idea of the next steps they’d like to take. If not, you can work together to find a logical next step that they are comfortable with.

It can be difficult for some teens to talk with their parents about certain subjects, so offer additional places and people where they can go to seek support, such as a school counsellor, another family member, a local mental health or youth organization, a website, or a phone line.⁴

Talking to a healthcare professional is also a great thing to do. Visit your family doctor so they can assess the situation and refer your teen to specialized mental health services, if needed.

Ways to help your depressed teen

There are several ways you can help your teen if they’re struggling. Many of those ways are connected to self-care and total wellness and can be easy to implement at home.

“We want to ensure they’re eating well, sleeping well, hygiene, all the normal things. When we take care of our body, we know it’s directly connected to mental health, so we want to ensure that parents are supporting their youths doing that,” Browne adds.

Physical activity is also very important. Aerobic exercise, walking, yoga, or other meditative practices release positive chemicals in the brain that effect mood. Because many of these activities can be done socially, they support the need for interconnected interactions and feelings of love and support.

Parents can also support consistency with scheduling and routine that can help a teen who is having trouble regulating their internal state. Ensuring families are eating dinner together at the same time in the evenings, having scheduled time for homework, and boundaries in place around social media can all help with mood.

Finally, in a time of increased stress, ensuring teens have time for fun and relaxation is key.

If you believe your teen could benefit from outside help, don’t be afraid to seek it. It’s always better to address the problem earlier rather than later. If you notice symptoms like decreased energy, irritability, and sadness persisting for weeks, it is time to explore some options. This might mean contacting your child’s school, talking to a healthcare professional, going to therapy, or seeking community support. No matter what, as your teen’s advocate, it’s up to parents to take an active role.

Remember that you are not alone

Teenage years are exciting but also challenging times. It is important to keep in mind, particularly on difficult days, that teen depression is common and can be treated. Addressing signs of a mental illness early on helps people to learn coping strategies and better communication skills, which they can take into adulthood for more well balanced and healthy lives.

If you are worried about your teen and think a community program would be a good fit, look into the virtual Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program at EHN Online. As an online therapeutic program for teens struggling with mood or anxiety disorders such as depression and anxiety, the program works to help teens manage or alleviate their symptoms. This is done through evidence-based therapies from trained clinicians as well as practical approaches to help them cope with their day to day. The program is customized to meet the interests and schedules of teens, as it does not interfere with their school schedule and has built in elements (like the Wagon app) geared towards their age. If you would like more information around the program, contact us to learn more.

Teenage mental health impacts parents as well. It is common to worry about whether you are providing the right type of and amount of support to your child. By taking the time to learn about teenage depression, you are already on the right track. For those who would like to increase their knowledge of mental health and practice useful skills, to further support your teen, the Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program includes multiple caregiver sessions. These three-hour sessions are based in emotion-focused therapy (EFT) to help caregivers foster a healthy, informed, and supportive environment for their teens to grow.

Remember that your teen, even though they may not currently be displaying the more positive or loving aspects of their personality, is still very much the child you know and love. They deserve to have the best care and support possible to recover from the very real struggles they are currently facing.

Help your child get the support they need. Contact us today.

888-767-3711

Resources

¹ Smith, M., Reid, S., Sega, J., & Robinson, L. (n.d.). Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression. Https://Www.Helpguide.Org. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm

²NIMH » Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

³Stanford Children’s Health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=understanding-teenage-depression-1-2220

⁴Talking to Teens About Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/talking-to-teens-about-mental-health/

Five signs your teen is struggling with their mental health

Posted on August 5, 2021October 12, 2021 by Hailey Montgomery

Five signs your teen is struggling with their mental health

Our teenage years are meant to be care-free and exciting, filled with self-discovery and exploration that prepares us emotionally for pending adulthood. But, as most of us can easily recall, the reality of being a teenager is rarely this simple.

As young people go through the physical, emotional and social changes that are expected in their teens, they’re vulnerable to mental health problems. In fact, 70% of people with a mental illness begin experiencing symptoms before age 18, and young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group [1].

As a parent or guardian, you are in an excellent position to start a dialogue with your teenage kids about their mental health. But, it can be tricky to differentiate between typical teenage moodiness and a mental health issue. Continue reading for five signs your child might be struggling with their mental health and some tips on what to do next.

Teen and youth mental health in Canada

Common mental health issues among youth include:

Emotional disorders: Includes depression, anxiety, excessive irritability, frustration or anger, unexpected emotional outbursts, etc. Depression is the fourth leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents aged 15 to 19 globally [2].
Eating disorders: Including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. They typically begin in adolescence or young adulthood and affect women ten times more than men [3, 4].
Suicide and self harm: Canada has the third-highest youth suicide rate in the industrialized world [5]. Canadian youth aged 15-24 have a higher risk of suicide than the general population [6]. Risk factors include harmful use of alcohol, depression, stigma, and barriers to healthcare.

How can I tell if my teen is struggling with their mental health?

1. They’re falling behind in school

Mental illness can negatively impact concentration, motivation, sleep and energy level — all of which can make focusing on school pretty difficult. Your child doesn’t have to have perfect grades, but a drop in marks might be a red flag for concurrent mental health disorders. As well, a 2021 study in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that mental health problems in early childhood and adolescence increase the risk for poor academic performance.

Pressure to succeed academically, test anxiety, bullying at school, poor sleep, poor nutrition and more can all negatively impact a student’s mental wellness and keep them from excelling. You might also notice your child skipping class or not handing in assignments.

2. They’ve experienced unexplained weight loss/weight gain

If a teenager is rapidly losing or gaining weight, they could be struggling mentally. When experiencing stress or anxiety, teenagers might turn to extreme dieting or overeating to regain a sense of control over their lives or conform to societal beauty standards.

Anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are just a few additional mental health diagnoses that frequently co-occur with eating disorders [7].

3. They’re withdrawing socially and losing interest in their hobbies

While it is normal to lose interest in childhood hobbies as we age, an abrupt avoidance of activities that once brought joy can be a sign of depression. Depression is common across all age groups but can present differently in teens than adults. Some common symptoms include feelings of sadness or crying spells with no apparent cause, excessive anger or frustration, trouble concentrating, weight loss/gain, or thoughts about self-harm and suicide.

4. They’re using drugs or alcohol frequently

Many people start to experiment with drugs, alcohol or tobacco in their teens. According to Statistics Canada, 60 per cent of illicit drug users in Canada are between 15 and 24. The illicit market aside, youth are also vulnerable to prescription drug addiction. For example, in 2019, CAMH found that 11 per cent of Ontario students in Grades 7 to 12 reported taking an opioid pain reliever (i.e. Tylenol 3, Percocet etc.) that was not prescribed to them. The same study found that high school students were using e-cigarettes (vapes) significantly more often than years before [8].

Many people who have an addiction also develop other mental illnesses, and vice versa. With the right treatment program, these co-occurring disorders can be addressed together.

5. Their sleeping patterns have changed dramatically

Mood and sleep are closely linked. If your teen is struggling with stress and/or anxiety, for example, it can be harder for them to get the amount of rest they need to properly regulate their emotions. According to Harvard Medical School,15 to 20 percent of people diagnosed with insomnia will develop major depression, and even partial sleep deprivation has a significant effect on mood [9].

There are plenty of reasons your child’s sleep schedule might change in high school, but consistent exhaustion is detrimental to their physical and mental health.

What should I do to help my child struggling with mental health?

If you suspect your teen might be struggling with a mental illness or addiction, the first step is initiating a conversation from a place of compassion and understanding. Here are some tips to prepare:

1. Learn and listen

There is plenty of misunderstanding and stigma attached to mental illness and addiction; this creates barriers to accessing proper treatment. If you know or suspect that your teen is struggling, educate yourself on their symptoms or condition to demonstrate how much you care. Some great resources include the Canadian Mental Health Association, Children’s Mental Health Ontario, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Youth Mental Health Canada. You can also check out EHN Online’s blogs on enabling a loved one’s addiction or speaking to a loved one about their addiction.

Approach a conversation with your teen from a place of empathy, not judgement or accusation. Find a private place to speak, address their emotions and concerns with compassion, and use your research to discuss possible solutions.

Avoid being confrontational or using a judgemental tone, as this could make your child feel guilty or ashamed. Remind your child that you are initiating this conversation because you care and want what’s best for them.

2. Take care of yourself

Mental health problems are extremely common, especially among young people, and are nothing to be ashamed of. Remember that talking about mental health should be as easy as talking about physical health.

As you’re helping your child through their mental health struggle, make sure you’re tending to your own health as well and have healthy habits in place to handle stress.

3. Look into treatment options

There are several treatment options and solutions to help better your teen’s mental health that are proven to be effective. A great place to start is talking to your family doctor so they can refer you to a mental health specialist if needed. Publicly-funded treatment options are available through your provincial healthcare system, but keep in mind that wait times can be significant.

If you’re interested in private services, try looking at directories on different professional college’s websites, such as The Ontario College for Psychologists or the Ontario College of Social Workers. Group and individual therapy, medication and stress management techniques have all been proven to help improve mental health. No two journeys to mental wellness are the same. Speaking to a professional can help determine the best course of action for you and your teen.

Finally, if your child is dealing with mild-to-moderate symptoms, a structured outpatient teen program is a great alternative to a residential program.

What does a structured outpatient program look like?

If you suspect your teen might be in need of mental health treatment, a structured, evidence-based outpatient program is an effective and affordable alternative to inpatient (residential) treatment. Virtual outpatient programs allow youth to continue living at home and participating in daily activities such as school, while connecting with like minded individuals and receiving the personalized care they deserve.

EHN Online’s Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program is a nine-week program that helps youth aged 14-18 mend their mental health virtually. With flexible scheduling options, your child can receive the highest standard of mental health care and connect with other teens experiencing similar symptoms from the comfort of their own home. Research shows that outpatient therapy can be as effective as residential treatment, [10] and with EHN Online’s program being tailored specifically to teens, they’ll be able to stay engaged and practice coping skills and strategies in their daily lives.

Structured online treatment programs are a great option for people who have a mild-to-moderate case of mental illness or addiction, and need more support than counselling or medication alone can provide.

The Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program can be accessed virtually across Canada.

Learn more.

Resources for Teens

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 / Online chat: www.hopeforwellness.ca
Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
For Quebec residents: 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553) (24/7)

Be prepared for conversations surrounding mental health. Contact us today to learn how EHN can help.

888-767-3711

Sources

[1] Government of Canada (2006). The human face of mental health and mental illness in Canada. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

[2] Pearson, Janz and Ali (2013). Health at a glance: Mental and substance use disorders in Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-624-X.

[3] Kessler RC, Angermeyer M, Anthony JC, et al. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of mental disorders in the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative. World Psychiatry 2007; 6: 168–76

[4] Government of Canada. The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada, 2006. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada. Catalogue no.: HP5-19/2006E.

[5] American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1995.

[6] Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013). Making the case for investing in mental health in Canada.

[7] Findlay L. Depression and suicidal ideation among Canadians aged 15 to 24. Health Rep. 2017 Jan 18;28(1):3-11. PMID: 28098916.

[8] Anxiety, Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (n.d.). The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Retrieved July 18, 2021, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/anxiety-depression-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

[9] Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2020). Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Study, 1977–2019. https://www.camh.ca//-/media/files/pdf—osduhs/drugusereport_2019osduhs-pdf.pdf

[10] Breslau, N. et al., Sleep Disturbance and Psychiatric Disorders: A Longitudinal Epidemiological Study of Young Adults, Biological Psychiatry. Mar 1996; 39(6): 411–418.

[11] McCarty, D., Braude, L., Lyman, D. R., Dougherty, R. H., Daniels, A. S., Ghose, S. S., & Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. (2014). Substance abuse intensive outpatient programs: assessing the evidence. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 65(6), 718–726. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300249