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FOR PARENTS WITH CONCERNS We know how bewildering your concerns can be. There are so many paths and so many stories, but that is the very nature of depression—each child's behavior and personality is so different with a different set of issues, and yet so many things are the same. You need to know you are not alone... |
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INFORMATION FOR PARENTS PARENT HANDBOOK NEWS YOU CAN USE |
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DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND NORMAL TEENAGE BEHAVIOR We are often asked how a parent can distinguish between emotional distress and the typical ups and downs of teen development. Everyone feels sad sometimes—that's part of daily living—and teenagers especially feel the angst of "growing up," particularly at times of significant change in their lives—friendship upheavals, beginning high school or junior high, going to college, divorce or separation, etc. Most teens will experience fluctuations in mood and behavior as part of normal development and transitions. However, when the symptoms of the more serious behavioral and emotional disorders appear over an extended period of time and interfere significantly with daily life then it is a good idea to be checked by the doctor. Clinical depression is a sustained feeling of hopelessness and despair—one that lasts for weeks or months. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms. There are varying degrees of depression: mild, moderate and severe. As you would expect, in cases of mild depression, the sufferer has sufficient symptoms to make a diagnosis, but the symptoms are not strong enough to interfere significantly with daily life. And so on down the continuum until you get to severe depression, in which an individual is essentially incapacitated—unable to attend school or work, even perhaps unable to get out of bed or take care of him- or herself. Suicidal thoughts or attempts are always categorized as severe depression. However, even if many of the symptoms of depression are present it doesn't necessarily mean a person has clinical depression. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disease or diabetes, can cause many of the symptoms generally thought of as depression. It is important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. |
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