Turbulent teenage years can be really rough for some. It’s perfectly normal for a teen to feel sad, irritable or downright depressed every now and then. When these feelings don’t go away after a few days, or they become so intense that teens can hardly stand it, then the teen may well be suffering from depression.
What Is Depression
Depression is frequently described as feelings of sadness, unhappiness, misery or down in the dumps. Many of us feel this way at some time or another in our lives. Clinical depression is considered a mood disorder with feelings of sadness, loss, anger or frustration can interfere with your everyday life for several weeks to several months at a time. Considered an invisible disability, depression can affect any walk of life.
Talking To Family
Talk to your family about how you’re feeling. Ask them to help you by going with you to the doctor. Learning as much about your medications and your medical condition as they can.
Visiting a Therapist
Many teens suffering from depression see a therapist. The therapist is there to help you understand what is going on in your body and help you to make wise decisions in managing your health care. Tell your therapist what medications you’re on, how you’re feeling and how long you’ve been feeling that way.
Medications
Take your medication prescribed from the doctor exactly as the doctor told you to take them. If you don’t feel your medication is working call your doctor and talk to them about how you’re feeling.
Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs exacerbate any medical condition. Only take medications that your doctor has prescribed for you. Tell your doctor if you’re taking anything else including street drugs.
Staying Healthy
Fighting off depression requires a healthy diet. If our bodies aren’t nourished we can’t fight depression or any other medical condition.
Isolation
Many teens isolate themselves now and again during their teen years. When isolation becomes so frequent that the teen won’t even talk to someone, help is needed.
Depression is a serious issue. It’s not something that anyone causes intentionally. Staying connected to family and friends, making healthy decisions, keeping stress under control and not isolating oneself all will have a significant impact on how a depressed teen is feeling.