Transcript Teen Depression

Northgate High School
Crisis Counselors
Shannon Brueckner, MFT
Maren Dalgaard, MFT
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Introduction
Depression facts &
statistics
Signs & symptoms
Differences in teens
Effects of depression
Suicide facts & statistics
Suicide warning signs
What to do
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Supporting a teen
Prevention
Questions?
Resources
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Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be
expected, but depression is something different
There are many misconceptions about teen
depression
Depression strikes teenagers far more often than
most people think
Depression is highly treatable, but experts say only
1 in 5 depressed teens receive help
Teenagers usually must rely on others for help
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Depression is the most prevalent mental health
disorder
Depressive episodes are recurring for 60% of
individuals
Depression is twice as likely in females vs. males
Only 25% of individuals with depression receive
adequate treatment
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Mood
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Depressed mood, either sad and/or irritable (especially in
teens)
Loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities
Body
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Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep patterns
Psychomotor agitation (pacing or restlessness) or slowed
movements
Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
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Behavior
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Decreased motivation
Decreased task performance
Withdrawal or isolation
Lack of attention to hygiene or appearance
Diminished desire to talk, socialize or interact
Thinking
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Inability to think, remember, concentrate or marked indecisiveness
Very low self-esteem
Feelings of guilt, self-reproach or worthlessness
Suicidal ideation
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I f you’re unsure if a teen is depressed or just
“being a teenager,” consider...
How different the teen is acting from his or her usual self
 How long the symptoms have been present
 How severe they are
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Depressed teens can experience
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Unexplained aches and pains
Extreme sensitivity to criticism
Withdrawal from some, but not all people
Irritable or angry mood (rather than sad/depressed)
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Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in
teenagers are actually indications of depression
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Problems at school
Running away
Drug and alcohol abuse
Low self-esteem
Internet addiction
Reckless behavior
Violence
Self-injury
Eating disorders
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Women are more likely to attempt suicide
Males are more likely to complete suicide
For every completed suicide by youth, it is
estimated 100 to 200 attempts are made
In 2007, suicide ranked as the third leading cause of
death for young people (ages 15-24)
Research has shown that most adolescent suicides
occur after school hours and in the teen’s home
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth
are 4-8 times more likely to make a suicide attempt
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Not all adolescent attempters admit their intent
Many adolescent suicide attempts are precipitated
by interpersonal conflict
Talking about suicide does NOT cause someone to
become suicidal
Nearly everyone at some time in his/her life thinks
about suicide or ceasing to exist
Include (but are NOT limited to):
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Presence of psychiatric disorder
Impulsivity/aggression
Increase use of alcohol or drugs
Exposure to another’s suicide or have attempted before themselves
Recent severe stressors
Family instability or significant family conflict
Lack of coping skills
Recent severe loss or threat of significant loss
Situation of humiliation or failure
History of violence or hostility
Unwillingness to “connect” with potential helpers
Highly rejecting behaviors, especially toward LGBT youth
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Talk about suicide, death or no reason to live
Be preoccupied with death and dying
Express a sense of hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities
Experience drastic changes in behavior
Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
Lose interest in personal appearance
Give away prized possessions
Prepare for death (making out will, final
arrangements, etc.)
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Encourage a depressed teen to open up
Offer support
Be gentle but persistent
Listen without lecturing
Validate feelings
Get professional help if necessary
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Make an immediate appointment with PCP for a
depression screening
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Bring specific information about symptoms; how long present,
how much affecting daily life, any noticed patterns, close
relatives with depression /other mental health disorder
If no health problems, seek out a depression specialist
Get your child’s input
Don’t rely on medication alone
Discuss with the specialist about treatment options:
One-on-one talk therapy
 Group or family therapy
 Medication
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Be understanding
Encourage physical
activity
Encourage social
activity
Stay involved in
treatment
Learn about depression
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Take care of whole
family when one child is
depressed
Take care of yourself
Reach out for support
Be open with the family
Remember the siblings
Avoid the blame game
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Offer unconditional support
Build or maintain a positive relationship with your teen
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Talk each day
Find out what excites and concerns your teen
Encourage feeling expression
Recognize achievements
Praise his or her strengths
Offer positive feedback
Prepare and eat meals together
Respond to anger with calm reassurance
Spend time in the same room
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Foster friendship and social networks
Monitor media use
Encourage physical activity
Promote good sleep
Consider mental health therapy
Learn about depression
 Develop skills to handle stress in a positive way
 Communicate with each other more effectively
 Understand the effect that stress and depression can
have on a person's life
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Primary Care Physician
Therapist (talk-therapy)
Psychiatrist (Rx)
Crisis Lines
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1-800-833-2900
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-SUICIDE
911
Northgate Counselors
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(925) 938-3921
(925) 938-0900 ext. 3519
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Websites
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www.nami.org
www.nimh.nih.gov
www.aacap.org/cs/Depression.Resour
ceCenter
www.morethansad.org
www.helpguide.org
www.kidshealth.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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American Association of Suicidology
National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Family Acceptance Project