Teen counseling can reveal some harsh truths about adolescence, especially that children and teens have most of the same mental, emotional and psychological problems that adults have. Unfortunately, with teens, these problems are often dismissed as being side effects of raging hormones; and while hormones do play a role in shaping how we think and feel, that doesn’t negate the fact that the psychological problems teens with raging hormones have are very real and need to be addressed.
Often dismissed as childish “moodiness,” depression is one of the most common psychological problems that afflict teenagers. For most teens, the effects of their depression can be felt throughout every area of their lives, from relationships to schoolwork to jobs. If you suspect that your child is suffering from depression, here are some signs you should look for:
- Changes In Mood – Watch for unusual or chronic irritability, sadness or crying – essentially anything beyond what you have experienced as normal mood swings.
- A Drop In Grades – Though doing poorly academically can indicate a number of things, it is often a sign of depression in children.
- Friendship Changes – Watch to see if your child is spending less time with friends, talking less about them or has a group of new friends.
- Withdrawal And Isolation – A teen who hides in his room all the time may be having problems coping with the outside world.
- Loss Of Interest In Activities – Not caring about or participating in activities that were once favorites can be a sign of depression.
- Lack Of Motivation – If your child was once a go-getter but his gears have shifted downward and he doesn’t seem to get anything done, depression may be the reason.
- Absences And Tardiness – Depression can cause your child not to care about getting to school or work on time or getting there at all.
- A Family History – There is some evidence that depression runs in families. If you or other close relatives suffer from depression, your child may also.
If you have noticed any of these signs of depression in your teen or he has spoken to you openly about feeling depressed, it’s time to investigate teen counseling. An experienced counselor can work with your child to help him understand why he is depressed and to give him the tools to deal and overcome his depression. Through treatment like cognitive behavior therapy, you can learn to cope with his depression. To get the best teen counseling, call us at Insight Child & Family Counseling at (972) 426-9500 or visit www.j9n.83e.myftpupload.com.