From Darkness to Light: Supporting Your Teen Through Depression

As children grow up, belly laughs turn into awkward silences. Instead of wanting to be around parents at all times, children start spending more time with peers and even feel disturbed if parents enter their room unannounced. Teenage is a difficult time in our lives, as we feel more distanced from our parents than ever, find greater solitude in social media, and explore distant friendships with unknown online identities. This is also the reason behind the growing number of teenage depression cases. 

Suppose your usually bubbly teenager has suddenly become very distant and is showing a heightened preference towards electronic gadgets compared to face-to-face interactions. In that case, chances are high they are suffering from depression. If this is the story of your household, then you have come to the right place. Today, we will shed light on this issue to help other parents and guardians serve as the most vital support pillar for their depressed children.

Enquire What Has Happened

If your child has entered adolescence, respecting their privacy and personal space becomes essential. However, if you feel that your child is slowly sinking into depression, then you should sit down and have an open conversation with them. The insights you gain here can be of great help once you schedule an online depression treatment for your teenager. 

Be A Patient Listener

Chances are that your depressed teen won’t open up instantly. But once they do, be an active listener. You might be cooking your family dinner, making a phone call with a friend, or even having a vital office meeting. Wrap up whatever you are doing and grab the moment, as your teenager might again get reluctant if you let this opportunity pass. Once you sit with your child, please give them your undivided attention and let them finish their sentences rather than countering them with your advice. 

Go Easy On Them

Whenever parents feel their child is becoming stressed, they try involving them in daily activities, from basic household chores to running to the market for some quick grocery shopping. However, parents need to realize that they might not prefer to be more active. We let our children rest when they get the flu, and depression is no way different. Depression is infamous for draining energy from our bodies, and we need to put in more than the usual effort to get things done. Rather than criticizing teens for their forgetfulness, parents should encourage them towards their favorite activities. 

Encourage Them To Socialize

Often, teenagers find it difficult to open up to their parents if they are going through troubled times. However, this differs with friends or cousins with whom teenagers can easily share concerns. If you feel your child is struggling with something, encourage them to connect socially with others of their age group. If you have set strict rules regarding late hangouts or sleepovers, now is the time to make exceptions. 

Making Lifestyle Changes

Making small changes here and there can help alleviate depression symptoms to a large extent. You can cook your children their favorite meals without compromising on nutrition and arrange weekend picnics to help them get plenty of sunshine. There is a natural urge to stay indoors when we feel anxious, but going out can help relieve our stress levels to a great extent. 

Conclusion

Teenage is synonymous with mood swings. This can make it difficult for parents to comprehend whether their adolescent children are facing any mental health issues or are simply going through raging hormones. Some common signs of depression are angry outbursts, lack of enthusiasm, reduced interest in activities they used to love previously, dropping school grades, lowered self-value, and frequent talks about suicide or death. If you start noticing these signs in your teen for over a week, it’s time to get professional help. 

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