Adolescence is a challenging time and it’s not uncommon for teenagers to experience mood swings.
Although it may seem normal for your child to be quiet, withdrawn or irritable, you need to pay close attention to any chance that they may be depressed.
If you notice your child exhibiting the mentioned symptoms and the ones below, you would do well to bring them to a specialist immediately.
- Sadness and anger
- Irresponsible behavior
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor appetite
- Complaints of frequent headaches, low back pain and other types of body aches
- Sudden drops in grades
This is because depression is treatable and early intervention can help your child overcome this condition.
When you get the right depression treatment in Dubai, you can help your teen become healthier physically, emotionally and socially. You also share with them the knowledge, strategies and confidence they need to manage this condition when they start feeling overwhelmed by depressive thoughts again.
Helping Your Child Overcome Depression
If your child is showing signs of depression, you have to take proactive steps to help them. You can do this through the following ways:
Seek professional help.
Once you suspect your teen is depressed, take them for a visit to a professional.
A mental health professional can diagnose depression accurately and recommend therapy and other suitable treatment options.
If you’re looking for a specialist, find a therapist or counselor who specializes in treating teenagers so they can provide support and share coping strategies tailored to your child’s age and specific requirements.
It is important that you and your teen seek help as soon as possible to prevent their condition from worsening.
Create a safe and open environment at home.
If your teenager is depressed, the next thing you have to do is to create an environment where they can feel safe to express their emotions.
By fostering a supportive atmosphere at home, your teen will be more open to ask you for help and share their struggles.
Additionally, encourage your child to talk to you about their feelings. However, make sure to find the right moment to speak with them since forcing conversations can do more harm than good.
Once your teen starts opening up to you, listen to them without being judgmental, acknowledge their feelings and assure them that you understand and accept them as they are.
Assist your child in making some changes in their lifestyle.
Helping your teen modify or improve their lifestyle is a way of supporting them in their battle against depression.
Start by encouraging your child to engage in physical activities regularly since studies show that exercise is a natural mood booster and treatment for depression.
Try to exercise or do simple activities, such as going out for a walk or run, with your teen to bond with and encourage them to talk as you enjoy these workouts.
Also, give your teen access to a healthier diet. Research shows that certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables and meat rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium and omega-3, can help them overcome their condition.
Lastly, ensure your child gets adequate sleep since a chronic lack of it can worsen their symptoms.
Advise your child to reduce their use of social media.
A study showed that college students who reduced their social media use to 30 minutes a day scored lower for depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear of missing out.
Because of this, encourage your teen to check their social media accounts less often. Remind them that commenting on or liking posts and engaging with other users is not an ideal substitute for real, physical interactions.
Ask your teen to turn off their phone or notifications while they are spending time with you, the family and their friends so they can focus on the actual conversations and interactions.
Encourage them to avoid looking at their phone or turning it off before sleeping as well.
Encourage your teen to nurture relationships with others.
Encouraging your child to maintain their friendships and engage in social activities they enjoy is also an important thing to do if they are depressed.
This is because depression symptoms tend to worsen when your teen isolates themselves.
Help your teen find out who among their friends cares for them genuinely and can give them emotional support. Encourage them to maintain their relationships with them.
If your child was once active in clubs and sports, ask them if they still want to participate in those. If they do, urge them to continue doing so.
Consider involving your teen in volunteer opportunities since helping others is an effective natural antidepressant and confidence booster. Help them find a cause they are passionate about. If you have plenty of time on your hands, sign up as well since it can be a good bonding experience for both of you.
Help your teen make the most of their therapy.
Therapy is a vital component of your child’s recovery journey.
As such, make sure they attend and actively engage in their therapy sessions and complete any recommended homework or exercises.
Make sure your teen is comfortable with their therapist so that they get more from this treatment.
Speak with your teen about getting alternative treatments as well, such as neurofeedback therapy.
Neurofeedback training is a non-invasive therapy that helps regulate brain activity, allowing patients to gain better control over their emotions.
By training the brain to function optimally, this treatment option can help improve your child’s mood and reduce their symptoms.
Depression can be a complex and challenging disorder for teenagers to navigate. But with your support, guidance and unconditional love, they can overcome this condition.
