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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffDepression generally isn't an illness that you can treat on your own. But there are some steps you and your teen can take that may help:
- Encourage your teen to stick to his or her treatment plan. Make sure your teen attends psychotherapy sessions or appointments, even if he or she doesn't feel like going. Even if your teen is feeling well, make sure he or she continues to take medications as prescribed. If your teen stops taking medications, depression symptoms may come back. Quitting suddenly may also cause withdrawal-like symptoms.
- Learn about depression. Education about your teen's condition can empower your teen and motivate him or her to stick a treatment plan. It can also benefit you and other loved ones to learn about your teen's depression. Counseling that focuses on this is known as psychoeducation.
- Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your teen's doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger depression symptoms. Make a plan so that you and your teen know what to do if symptoms get worse. Ask family members or friends to help watch for warning signs.
- Make sure your teen gets exercise. Even light physical activity can help reduce depression symptoms.
- Help your teen avoid alcohol and other drugs. Your teen may feel like alcohol or drugs lessen depression symptoms, but in the long run they generally worsen symptoms and make depression harder to treat.
- Make sure your teen gets plenty of sleep. Sleeping well is important for teens, especially teens with depression. If your teen is having trouble sleeping, talk to his or her doctor about what can be done.
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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