Is your teen depressed? Seven tips for parents

Your daughter comes home from school, slams down her books and retreats to her room with a scowl. Since starting high school, you’ve noticed she’s been moody and irritable and her grades are starting to suffer. Should you be worried about depression? “Almost everyone goes through periods of feeling sad or irritable for usually brief periods of time,” says Dr. Oscar Bukstein, associate psychiatrist-in-chief and vice chairman of psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. “What sets depression apart is the presence of distress or impairment that interferes with daily life.” Bukstein says he’s seen a steady rise in depression in young people over the past 25 years, as the stress of daily life increases. “The good news is that treatment generally works and more kids are seeking treatment.” He offers the following seven tips for recognizing depression in your teen and getting help: 1. Look at key relationships If you’re worried your child might be depressed, take a good look at his or her family relationships, social relationships and academic performance. “These are the big three areas in terms of functioning,” says Bukstein. “If your child is having difficulty in one or more of these areas, it could be a sign of depression.” 2. Watch for behavior changes All teens are moody or irritable sometimes. But an overall change in your child’s behavior could be a sign of a problem. “We’re talking about an irritability that’s pervasive — not just a ki...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Mental Health Teen Health adolescent depression child depression Dr. Oscar Bukstein Source Type: news