Depression can be fairly common among teenagers, but the signs are often overlooked. Moodiness is viewed as a normal teen phase, and many parents just count the years until their child’s hormones level out. However, it’s important to note the differences between the usual teen rebellion and depressive disorders, as more serious mental health conditions could eventually affect the entire family system.
If you’re wondering how depression affects families, Ascend is here with explanations and support. Learn more about the potential effects of childhood depression and techniques that can help you deal with the fallout.
How to Recognize Childhood Depression
Since teens and adolescents go through many hormonal changes, it can be easy to blame depression symptoms on a phase. However, without proper treatment, your teen will continue to struggle, and the symptoms may worsen, leading to more tension in the household. Here are signs that your child may be struggling with depression:
- Frequently angry, irritable, or aggressive
- Highly sensitive to feedback or criticism
- Isolating themselves
- Often crying or feeling sad
- Avoiding activities they once enjoyed
- Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol
If your child seems to be withdrawing from the family and their moods are disrupting everyday activities, it may be time for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.
How Depression Affects Families
Parents may misunderstand why their teen exhibits signs of depression and mistakenly contribute it to typical teen angst. It’s imperative that you don’t dismiss moodiness or other symptoms so quickly, as a teen’s depression can disrupt the entire family dynamic. Here are some ways we’ve seen depression affect families:
- Strain on family relationships and tension in the household
- Parents focus on the depressed teen and neglect other family members or themselves
- Resentment builds among neglected family members and in parents
- Parents enable the depressed teen in an attempt to help them
- Family members walk on eggshells around the depressed teen to avoid triggering them
- Parents or guardians experience financial strain from finding care for their teen
- Sleeplessness and issues with physical health affect over 50% of families
- The social stigma associated with depression can transfer onto other family members
How depression affects each family is a little different. Your family system may only experience one or two of these effects, while others struggle with the full range. Getting the right treatment for your child is crucial for your family’s overall health and wellness.
What to Do If Your Teen Is Depressed
Many parents feel perplexed about what to do when their child shows signs of depression. They may feel helpless or confused about why their teen is struggling with this condition and how they can help. Here are a few tips to help you support the young person in your life and control how depression affects your family:
- Understand that your child is experiencing deep emotional pain and does not know how to handle it. Be gentle with them and show support by speaking calmly and allowing them plenty of opportunities to express themselves without fear of judgment.
- Express your concern for your child’s happiness and let them know that you want to help them feel better. Your support can make them feel more comfortable asking for help from you or a therapist.
- Individual therapy and family therapy can both be helpful for managing childhood depression. Talk to your child about the benefits of speaking with a therapist and reassure them that you’ll be right there with them.
- Reach out to a residential treatment center, like Ascend, to determine whether your teen may needs time away from the home to reset, learn coping skills, and learn to manage their depression.
How Ascend Can Help
Once you understand how depression affects families, it’s clear that finding the right support is critical. At Ascend, we place priority on the health of the entire family system and treat it in relation to your teen. We’re here to help everyone navigate this confusing and painful time to support your well-being.