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Call (602) 847-9887
Most Insurance Accepted Including Medicaid
Most Insurance Accepted Including Medicaid
Most Insurance Accepted Including Medicaid
Sometimes a teenager may seem moody or like they are moping around the house. This can be normal for their age, but sometimes it’s a much more serious issue. Teenagers can develop depression and need help but do not necessarily know how to express this to their parents. When a teenager becomes consumed by this challenging mental health disorder, our teen depression treatment in Phoenix can help them manage their symptoms.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mental illness that impacts millions of people. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a major depressive episode as a period of feeling a depressed mood that lasts at least two weeks. This includes experiencing a loss of interest or any pleasure related to daily activities. It overtakes a person’s life, including how they feel, think, and act. A person experiencing depression does not have the same feelings, thoughts, and actions they did previous to developing the disease.
While many people associate depression with being an adult illness, many teenagers develop this difficult condition. In fact, the onset of this disease happens most commonly while a person is in their teens to mid-20s. Fortunately, a person of any age can get relief from their symptoms. The earlier adolescent boys attend residential treatment centers for depression, the better chance they have at overcoming their symptoms and learning how to live productive lives. It can save a young person from years or decades of unnecessary suffering.
Mental Health America reports in 2022 that approximately 15% of children aged 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. In fact, the number of people in this age group who experienced an MDE increased by 306,000 from the previous year. When untreated, depression that develops during this time proves likely to continue into adulthood.
Symptoms of depression can be the same in any age group. Included below are some of the symptoms, along with ones more specific to teen depression.
Depression can have roots that are common to people of all ages. For example, genetics can play a huge factor in developing depression. The home life a teenager grows up in can also influence the development of the disease. A teenager who grows up experiencing abuse, neglect, or other unhealthy family dynamics may end up becoming depressed. Last of all, unusual brain chemistry can be a major reason why someone develops depression.
Teenagers have their own influencing reasons that can contribute to developing depression. This age contains a lot of peer pressure that can make a young person feel they just can’t compete with their friends and classmates. When they feel less than adequate, or they become pressured to act and express themselves in ways that don’t feel genuine, it can lead to depressive feelings.
Another factor that can weigh heavily into developing depression as a teenager relates to academic pressure. Kids compete to have high grades and get into a good college. This can go on for years and become overwhelming. As well, people this age find themselves beginning to think about what career paths they want to take, which can become overwhelming. Looking at goals that can take years of college or paying dues at a job can feel like more than they can handle.
Finally, adolescence itself is often quite difficult because of going through puberty. The rush of hormones and the changing roles coupled with inexperience in adult-like situations can result in a drastic drop in moods. For these and other causal reasons, getting teen depression treatment can help young people deal with their specific life challenges and begin to feel better.
If your adolescent child needs residential depression treatment, the faster you get them help, the more quickly they can heal. For many parents, the best option is to get their teenagers into residential treatment to help overcome their depression. This allows teenagers to move into a neutral setting where they can focus on addressing their depression. The best mental health facility provides round-the-clock care, including appropriate types of therapy and any needed medications. Family therapy is often included in order to keep the parents in the loop about their child’s progress and how to help them.
Some people mistakenly believe treatment for teen depression consists mostly of just talk therapy. Actually, several approaches can help pull a teenager out of the depths of depression and help them feel more in control.
Learning healthy coping skills to combat symptoms of depression is an important part of any teen depression treatment program. Coping skills include things like:
Several types of depression medication for teens can be used in order to help reduce and eliminate many symptoms. These include:
Treating physicians can discuss the goals for using depression medications and help the family determine which one to try. Additionally, the doctors can monitor for any side effects or needed changes in dosage or type of medication.
Depression worksheets for teens can prove valuable for young people working on improving their mental health. They can be used between therapy appointments to help process their emotions, as well as while they wait for any medications they begin to take effect. Worksheets give a teenager prompts to write about how they feel, things to read, and a way to organize their thoughts. This can be brought into therapy sessions to process. In fact, worksheets can be beneficial for a teen to use long after formal treatment for depression ends.
When a teenager finds themselves consumed by depression, it affects every aspect of their lives. It can rob them of their enthusiasm and energy to do well in school and prepare for the working world. Have you tried to get help for your child but found they haven’t responded to it well? They may need an adolescent residential program. Zenith Behavioral Health in Phoenix provides teen depression treatment for boys aged 13 to 17 that gets to the root of their illness and helps them heal.
If you would like more information about our program, please visit our admissions page now.
Our team is ready 24/7 to help you or your loved one begin your recovery & take advantage of what life has to offer.
Has your life become ruled by anxiety, and you feel ready to take back the reins? Our adolescent mental health treatment center in Phoenix, AZ, can help you. Call (602) 847-9887, or fill out the confidential callback form below, and learn how we can help you live a life free from anxiety.
Zenith Behavioral Health in Phoenix, Arizona, offers residential mental health and addiction treatment for adolescents.
