You Aren’t Out of Options: Treatment for Teen Depression

Treatment for teen depression is needed more now than ever before, especially for young women. Studies show that today’s youth experience depression much more often than generations before them. Research has linked this to increased academic pressure, unattainable media standards, and technology use.

So, if your daughter is one of the many teens experiencing depression, where do you go? Well, you’ll be happy to hear that many options exist. Depending on what your daughter is going through and what her needs are, many options for treatment for teen depression are available.

Figuring out if your daughter needs treatment for teen depression

Differing between regular melodramatic teen behavior and depression can prove very difficult for most parents. Is it hormones or are they depressed? Is this recent angst just a phase or is it a warning sign? Don’t worry, many parents are asking the same exact questions.

If something seems really off, you probably need to look into it and not immediately explain it away as “teen angst.” To help you identify whether your child may need treatment for teen depression or not, here’s a list of common depression symptoms to watch for:

• Changes in sleep patterns, such as not getting enough sleep or getting too much
• Frequently tired or out of energy
• Sudden change in appetite, such as large increase or decrease in food intake
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Restlessness or anxiety, such as an inability to sit still
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Self-harm
• Intense feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
• Frequently annoyed or irritable mood
• Often frustrated or angry over small issues
• Feelings of sadness, sometimes paired with crying spells for “no reason”
• Loss of interest in activities usually found pleasurable
• Low self-esteem
• Obsession with past failures or extreme self-blaming

Any of the above symptoms could be a cause for concern. If you believe your daughter may be going through some mental health issues, it’s critical to reach out to a professional as soon as possible.

What are your options?

Treatment depends on your daughter’s specific needs. If your daughter has just begun to show symptoms of depression, it’s important to reach out to a professional. Getting an assessment from a professional can help with deciding what treatment path to take for your daughter. Studies have actually discovered that improving your teen’s depression can actually improve your own (the parents’) mental health as well–even more cause to reach out for treatment help.

However, if your daughter is going through depression along with other behavioral or emotional issues, she may need more extensive help. Residential treatment centers (RTCs) cater to students that need more of an intervention than traditional therapy can provide. They create a contained, safe environment for teens to work through their challenges constructively. Many RTCs use a multidisciplinary approach in order to cover a child’s treatment needs fully. Some RTCs have a gender-specific focus, as well.

Overall, if you believe your child is struggling, many options exist, you just have to reach out to find them.

Solstice East offers treatment for teen depression

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18. We understand the specific needs of girls, which is why our program is centered solely on them. We offer our students help for anxiety, depression, teen mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral problems.

We have a strong emphasis on family therapy, nutrition, physical fitness. We also offer a supportive staff, cutting-edge academics, addiction therapy, equine therapy, and psychiatric services. At Solstice, we help set the stage for the infusion of light into the previously darkened lives of the families we serve.

For more information about our treatment for teen depression at Solstice East, please contact us at 828-484-9946.