Adolescent Residential Treatment Centers for Depression
Adolescent Depression Treatment Centers in Arizona
Adolescents can sometimes exhibit moodiness or appear withdrawn, which can be a typical part of their developmental stage. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this behavior might signify a more serious concern.
Teenagers may struggle with depression, a mental health issue that they might find challenging to communicate to their parents. When a teenager’s mental health is overshadowed by severe depression, our residential treatment programs in Phoenix stand ready to provide support.
Learning Coping Skills for Anxiety
What Is Depression?
Depression, often referred to as major depressive disorder, is a widespread mental health challenge affecting millions of individuals. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a major depressive episode is characterized by a persistent, low mood lasting for at least two weeks, accompanied by a loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities. This condition can profoundly impact a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, altering their previous state of being.
Contrary to the common belief that depression primarily afflicts adults, many teenagers struggle with this formidable condition. In fact, it frequently emerges during adolescence, extending into one’s mid-20s. The good news is that individuals of any age can find relief from their symptoms. Early intervention is especially critical for adolescents and attending residential treatment centers for depression can significantly improve their chances of overcoming the challenges and acquiring essential life skills. Such proactive steps can spare young people from enduring needless suffering for years or even decades, allowing them to move towards a more productive and fulfilling life.
Depression in Teens
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 a MDE increased by 306,000 from the previous year. When untreated, depression that develops during adolescence proves likely to continue into adulthood.
Signs & Symptoms
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.
- Constantly feeling depressed or sad
- Sensitivity to failure or rejection, or the perception of failing or being rejected
- Crying spells
- Lack of emotional reactions
- Weight loss or gain
- Often feeling tired
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Difficulty in thinking or making decisions
- Unexplained physical ailments, such as headaches, stomachaches, and body aches
- Feeling restless
- No interest in planning for the future
- Poor performance in school or work
- Feeling pressure to fit in with peers
- Loss of interest in usual hobbies, school groups, and activities
- Using or abusing drugs or alcohol
- Feeling suicidal
Why are Teens Becoming More Depressed?
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. Young adults who grow up experiencing abuse, neglect, or other unhealthy family dynamics may end up becoming depressed.
Adolescents 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.
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 reasons, getting teen depression treatment can help young people deal with their specific life challenges and begin to feel better.
How to Help an Adolescent Child with Depression
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 them 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.
About Our Adolescent Depression Treatment Centers in Arizona
Some people mistakenly believe treatment for teen depression consists mostly of just talk therapy. Actually, several approaches can help pull young adults out of the depths of depression and help them feel more in control.
At our residential treatment center, we offer a structured environment where teens participate in various evidence-based therapies. Our treatment team, including licensed therapists and medical doctors, conducts a thorough assessment to identify the root causes of mood disorders, anxiety management, and behavioral health issues.
Individual and Group Therapy
Through individual therapy sessions and group therapy, including dialectical behavior therapy and family therapy, we help adolescents make significant improvements. We also incorporate experiential therapies like music therapy and equine therapy, creating a supportive environment for teens struggling with severe depression, self-harm, or substance abuse.
Our therapeutic modalities are designed to address a broad spectrum of needs. Individual therapy provides a safe and confidential space for adolescents to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a licensed clinical social worker or therapist.
This one-on-one approach enables us to tailor treatment plans to their specific challenges and goals. Through these sessions, adolescents gain a deeper understanding of themselves and develop coping strategies to manage their emotional well-being.
Learning Coping Skills for Depression
Learning healthy coping skills to combat symptoms of depression is an important part of any teen depression treatment program. Coping skills include things like:
Creating art or incorporating music into therapy
Exercising in order to induce the production of serotonin in the brain
Journaling about the person’s feelings and experiences
Engaging in a social activity, even when they may not feel like it, in order to avoid isolation and loneliness
Breathing techniques
Learning to accept thoughts and feelings without necessarily having to act on them
Depression Medications
Several types of depression medication for teens can be used in order to help reduce and eliminate many symptoms. These include:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
Atypical Antidepressants
Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Antidepressants
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.
Worksheets for Depression
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.
Contact Our Residential Adolescent Depression Treatment Center in Phoenix, Arizona
When a teenager finds themselves consumed by depression, it affects every aspect of their life. 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 teens 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 or give our team a call today.
Recovery Resources
- Residential Treatment
- Admissions Process
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Insurance Verification
- Contact Us
Your Recovery Starts Here
Our team is ready 24/7 to help you or your loved one begin your recovery & take advantage of what life has to offer.
Begin Depression Treatment at Our Rehab Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Our Detox & Mental Health Rehab Accepts Medicaid
Has your child’s life become ruled by depression, and do you feel ready to help them take back the reins? Our adolescent residential treatment center in Phoenix, AZ, can help. Call (602) 847-9887 or fill out the confidential callback form below and learn how we can help your child live a life free from depression.
