Exam stress, school life pressures, and parental expectations may cause teenagers to become irritable or depressed. However, if the stress levels continue to rise over time, then it must be addressed. According to the report of the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) in 2017, about 2.3 million teenagers between 12-17 years face a depressive episode once in their lives.
Here in this article, we will discuss teen depression and ways to reduce it.
What is Teen depression?
The mental and physical upset situation leading to isolation and suicidal thoughts is called teen depression. Such conditions may affect a person’s personal life, family life, social interaction and friends circle. However, the symptoms of teen depression can be different from adult depression as it may be due to hormonal changes, pressure or growing body.
- Low self-esteem
- Social Isolation
- Tiredness and Low-energy
- Suicidal thoughts
- Use of alcohol or drugs (sometimes)
- Poor academic performance
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Ways to decrease teen depression
If you observe the above symptoms or more in your teen, it is the right time to help them. They need your help. Seek ways by which you can help them. Want to help your teens fight depression? Let’s ponder some ways to help youth fight depression.
1-Talk to them:
Communication is the best tool to speak up about the problems of your young ones. Parents might be worried about their teen’s health. They might think that they can’t do anything. However, the role of parents is crucial in this regard. According to a study in 2016, teenagers with parental supports had lower depression symptoms than those with less supportive relations.
The best way is to show empathy, stop questioning them and be gentle, encourage them to pursue their passion instead of discouraging them.
- Listen to them carefully
- Avoid judging them
- Show understanding
- Connect with them emotionally
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2-Help them believe in their abilities:
Believing in oneself is the best way to succeed and live a happy life. Moreover, help your teens believe in themselves, give positive feedback when they perform a task well. Compliment them on their achievements.
3-Teach them to cope with stress:
According to doctors, stress is the major contributor to depression. Minute levels of stress like homework burden, changing school or parental separation can affect young minds badly. Help them adopt some everyday practices like:
- Mindfulness
- Spending time with friends and family
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Think about their goals
4-Encourage them to adopt healthy habits:
Healthy habits help in living a healthy life. A recent study found that teens whose parents set a 10 pm. bedtime are 25% less prone to depression and suicidal thoughts.
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5-Stay aware of their activities:
Always watch your teens activities. Severe conditions like suicidal attempts and anxiety levels seek professional assistance. In this case, visit the doctor as soon as possible.
In the end, if you have a depressed teen at home take good care of yourself too. To help your teen overcome depression and live a happier life, you must maintain a positive attitude.