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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffShowing interest and the desire to understand your teen's feelings lets him or her know you care. You may not understand why your teen feels that things are hopeless or why he or she has a sense of loss or failure. Listen to your teen without judging and try to put yourself in his or her position. Help build your teen's self-esteem by recognizing small successes and offering praise about his or her competence.
Encourage your teen to:
- Make and keep healthy friendships. Positive relationships can help boost your teen's confidence and stay connected with others. Encourage your teen to avoid relationships with people whose attitudes or behaviors could make depression worse.
- Stay active. Participation in sports, school activities or a job can help keep your teen focused on positive things — rather than negative feelings or behaviors.
- Ask for help. Teens may be reluctant to seek support when life seems overwhelming. Encourage your teen to talk to a family member or other trusted adult whenever needed.
- Have realistic expectations. Many teens judge themselves when they aren't able to live up to unrealistic standards — academically, in athletics or in appearance, for example. Let your teen know that it's OK not to be perfect.
- Simplify his or her life. Encourage your teen to carefully choose his or her obligations and commitments, and set reasonable goals. Let your teen know that it's OK to do less when he or she feels down.
- Structure his or her time. Help your teen plan his or her activities by making lists or using a planner to stay organized.
- Encourage your teen to keep a private journal. Journaling can improve mood by allowing your teen to express and work through pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
- Connect with other teens who struggle with depression. Talking with other teens facing similar challenges can help your teen cope. So can learning skills to manage life's challenges. Local support groups for depression are available in many communities, and support groups for depression are offered online. One good place to start is the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- Stay healthy. Do your part to make sure your teen eats regular, healthy meals, gets regular exercise and gets plenty of sleep. These are priorities — encourage your teen not to avoid these things because of social activities, school responsibilities or other demands.
References
- Depressive disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Loosen PT, et al. Mood disorders. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3285019. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Calles JL. Depression in children and adolescents. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2007;34:243.
- Your adolescent - depressive disorders. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_store/your_adolescent_depressive_disorders. Accessed June 9, 2010.
- Agerter DC, et al. Depression. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/204551127-5/0/1481/631.html?tocnode=53395845&fromURL=631.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Lyness JM. Depression: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Hatzenbuehler ML, et al. Emotion regulation and internalizing symptoms in a longitudinal study of sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2008;49:1270.
- Bennetto L, et al. Psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence. In: Jacobson JL, et al. Psychiatric Secrets. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/204551127-3/0/1167/134.html?tocnode=49275992&fromURL=134.html#4-u1.0-B1-56053-418-4..50064-9--cesec11_1285. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Katon W, et al. Initial treatment of depression in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Martinez M, et al. Psychopharmacology. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=320111. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- McVoy M. Child and adolescent psychopharmacology update. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2009;32:111.
- Crawford GC, et al. Treatment of children and adolescents. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/popup.aspx?aID=314547&print=yes_chapter. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Factsheet: Depression in teens. Mental Health America. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-in-teens. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- van der Watt G, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2008;2:37.
- Mischoulon D. Update and critique of natural remedies as antidepressant treatments. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2009;36:789.
- Wahner-Roedler D. Treating 20 common conditions. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:166.
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