"Sometimes teens just need to talk to someone other than their parents"
Help for Teens & Families
HELP FOR PARENTS
How do you know if your son or daughter is just going through normal teenage moodiness or actually has a depressive disorder?
Call for a free
15 minute consultation:
(619) 567-9627
Research shows that due to the increase in academic pressures, social challenges, and hormonal changes of the teenage years, approximately 1 out of 5 teenagers suffers with depression.
For some teens, depression is characterized by feelings of bleakness and despair. For others, it’s a persistent anger or agitation, or simply an overwhelming sense of “emptiness.”
• Constantly feeling irritable, sad, or angry.
• Nothing seems fun anymore — even the activities he or she used to love.
• Feeling bad about themselves — worthless, guilty, or just “wrong” in some way.
• Sleeping too much or not enough.
• Turning to alcohol or drugs to try to change the way they feel.
• Having frequent, unexplained headaches or other physical pains or problems.
• Anything and everything makes them cry.
• They are extremely sensitive to criticism.
• They have gained or lost weight without consciously trying to.
• Having trouble concentrating, thinking straight, or remembering things.
• Falling seriously behind in school, grades may be plummeting.
• Feeling helpless and hopeless.
• Thinking about death or suicide.
As reported by helpguide.org, common symptoms of teenage depression include:
We all know teenagers love and want their privacy, but they also need to know
that they matter...that you notice them...even when he or she says
"nothing is wrong" or give you one-word answers, letting them know
that you're paying attention means so much!