Tag: <span>depression</span>

Uncategorized • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Depression and Teenagers

Adolescence is a transformative phase of life marked by tremendous physical, emotional, and social changes. It is during this time that many teenagers face challenges, including the risk of developing mental health issues like depression. Depression is a serious condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, and recognizing its symptoms in teenagers is crucial for early intervention and support.  Lets will delve into the complex world of teenage depression, shedding light on common symptoms that can help parents, educators, and friends identify those in need of assistance.

Depression Symptoms in Teens

  1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability: One of the key indicators of depression in teens is persistent sadness. Adolescents with depression often experience a prolonged period of feeling down, hopeless, or empty. However, it’s important to note that not all depressed teenagers may exhibit obvious signs of sadness. Instead, some might display heightened irritability, anger, or hostility, reacting negatively to even minor frustrations.

  2. Loss of Interest and Pleasure: Teenagers with depression may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, or socializing with friends. They may withdraw from social engagements, isolate themselves, or prefer spending excessive amounts of time alone. A notable decline in academic performance or lack of motivation in school may also be observed.

  3. Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of teenage depression. Adolescents may experience difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or having a persistent desire to sleep excessively. These irregular sleep patterns can have a profound impact on their overall well-being, leading to fatigue, lack of energy, and reduced concentration.

  4. Appetite and Weight Changes: Depression can significantly affect a teenager’s appetite and eating habits. Some individuals may have an increased appetite, leading to weight gain, while others may experience a decreased appetite, resulting in weight loss. Such changes in eating patterns can further contribute to feelings of guilt or low self-esteem.

  5. Fatigue and Lack of Energy: Persistent feelings of fatigue, even after adequate rest, are common among depressed teenagers. They may exhibit a lack of energy, finding it challenging to engage in daily activities or perform tasks that were previously manageable. This overwhelming sense of tiredness can exacerbate their feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

  6. Difficulty Concentrating and Making Decisions: Depression can impact a teenager’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult for them to concentrate, remember information, or make decisions. This can affect their academic performance and lead to a decline in overall functioning. They may appear disengaged, struggle to follow conversations or experience a decline in problem-solving skills.

  7. Physical Complaints: Although depression is primarily a mental health condition, it can manifest in physical symptoms. Teens with depression may frequently complain of unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other physical discomforts. These physical complaints should be taken seriously, as they may be a cry for help or an expression of their emotional distress.

Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects a significant number of teenagers. Recognizing the symptoms of depression in teens is crucial for early intervention and support. It is important for parents, educators, and friends to remain vigilant and attentive to changes in behavior, emotional well-being, and academic performance. If you suspect a teenager may be experiencing depression, it is essential to encourage open communication, offer support, and seek professional help from mental health experts. By doing so, we can provide the necessary support to help teenagers navigate the challenges of adolescence and emerge stronger, happier, and healthier individuals.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo therapyJeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma-related disorders.

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Depression • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Depressed Teen – How can parents help?

Five Ways Parents can help their depressed teen

Depressed teens often go unnoticed, their suffering masked by our perception of how teens are just moody. Depression left untreated can be dangerous. Teenagers are at particularly high risk for depression. Depression in teens is one of the most common mental health problems they encounter. It can be difficult to tell if a teenager is depressed, or if he or she is just struggling with common ‘growing pains.’ Parents know their teenagers better than anyone else. It’s important for parents to trust their gut when it comes to talking to, and asking teenagers about depression. Here are five ways that parents can help a depressed teen.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Checking in with them

It’s important for parents to trust their gut and ask their teen about how they’re feeling. Just as important, when parents ask they need to be ready to listen. It can be difficult not minimize or justify how a teenager is feeling, especially when parents just want to ‘make it better.’ Also not rushing in with solutions helps teenagers know they can talk to their parents about anything and they’re not wrong or stupid for feeling a certain way. Finally, talking to your teenager about their feelings lets depressed teenagers know that their parents are there for them.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Helping them stay active

Exercise has for a long time been related to mental health benefits. Getting depressed teenagers moving is a critical piece of helping them recover. Teenagers should get at least an hour of physical activity a day. Keeping teens active in sports, after school clubs like art or choir also keeps them socially engage which helps combat isolation. Leveraging teens’ interests in music, art, or sports can make keeping depressed teens active somewhat easier.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Promoting good sleep

Adolescents whose parents set earlier bedtimes (like 10PM or earlier) are at significantly lower risk for depression. In one study teens who went to bed at midnight or later were 24% more likely to be depressed, and have thoughts of suicide. Parents can help teens get better sleep by enforcing bedtime, eliminating electronics, and screen-time in the bedroom, and monitoring their caffeine and sugar before bed.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Taking care of themselves

The stress of helping your teen through their depression can be exhausting. Its important for parents to have the energy to engage their teens about how they’re feeling, helping motivate them to stay busy and active, and also be consistent about helping them keep their good sleep habits. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to help take good care of their kids.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Knowing when to get professional help

Support and healthy lifestyle changes aren’t always enough to help depressed teens. It’s good for parents to know when to seek out professional help. Common professional intervention involves mental health counseling or psychotherapy—like cognitive behavioral therapy, and sometimes also includes medication. The discussion of reaching for professional help should involve your teen.

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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Teen Depression - Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling
Depression • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Teen Depression

Teens and Depression

Sleeping too much, irritability, mood swings these are all descriptors of adolescence. Depending on the severity they can also be depression symptoms.  Teenagers face a lot of challenges as they juggle figuring out who they are, while trying to fit in with peers. Also, teen depression goes beyond moodiness, and can be a serious problem.  It is difficult to parse what might be normal for teens.

Learn about signs of teenage depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in adolescence. Contrary to what parents might expect teens with depression usually don’t just seem sad or mopey—They often seem irritable, and angry.  Agitation and irritability are some of the most common symptoms of teen depression.

Common symptoms of teen depression

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Sadness or a feeling of hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
  • Sudden drop in grades
  • Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
  • Withdrawal from friends and or family
  • Irritability, anger, or hostility
  • Tearfulness or frequent crying
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Sleep too much or too little
  • Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
  • Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Suicide and Teen Depression

Severely depressed teens often think and talk about killing themselves. A terrifying amount of teenage suicide attempts are successful.  Additionally, it is important for any talk or attempt of suicide to be taken very seriously.  Also depressed teenagers are at particularly higher risk for actually completing suicide, and therefore should be watched closely any signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Red Flags for Teen Depression and Suicide

  • Talking about or joking about suicide or dying
  • Risky or reckless behavior, like driving erratically, or doing other dangerous things
  • Writing a suicide note
  • Having or talking about a plan to kill themselves
  • Giving away prized possession
  • Seeking access to firearm, pills, knife or other ways to implement a plan to kill themselves
  • Speaking positively about their death, “My family would be happier if I was just dead.”
  • Saying goodbye to friends and families as if for the last time

If your teen is doing any of these things, don’t wait call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or take your teen to an emergency room to be evaluated. September is national suicide prevention awareness month. Please take some time this month to talk to your teen about how they’re feeling, check in with them and let them know you’re there.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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Camp helps kids grow ( and lessen anxiety and depression in kids)
Parenting • • • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

How summer camp can help kids grow

In college I spent many summers teaching kids kayaking and rock climbing. It was a wonderful experience where I learned a lot about kids and the power of nature to heal and help children grow. With kids having more and more screen time, and less and less out-door time it’s easy to forget about the benefits of kids being outside. There’s a growing body of research about the benefits of children playing outside in nature.  Children who don’t go outdoors are at higher risks for anxiety, depression, and attention deficit problems (Louv, 2005).  Summer camp is a wonderful way for kids to spend time outside in nature being playful and adventurous.  Here are five reasons why kids being outside, spending  time at camp is good for parents, and helps kids grow.

5 ways Camp helps kids grow

Teaching social skills

Summer camp can be a great place for children who are struggling with making friends, communicating their ideas, asking for help, and other social skills. Through play and structured activities, they’ll be interacting with peers their age and work on making friends in a supportive and safe environment.  They’ll spends lots of time with peers and have plenty of chances to practicing being a good friend or helping others.

Teaching teamwork

Children have to share space with other kids at camp; they’ll divvy up cabin tasks through compromise and negotiation. They’ll work towards common goals and accomplish things as a member of a team. They’ll win or lose together in a game of capture the flag.  At times they’ll be leaders and learn assertiveness skills, and other times they’ll learn the importance of being a team member.  Knowing how to function as a part of team is an invaluable skill for kids to have as they move on to join sports team, participate in theater or eventually get jobs.

Build self-esteem in children with depression

Camp provides supportive opportunities for children to be appropriately challenged and experience success. Kids who struggle with depression may have feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem and thoughts of not-being “good enough.”  The rock wall at camp may seem like a fun obstacle, but for some children it can be experience where they did something they didn’t think they could do, where they learned they are stronger, and braver than they ever imagined.

Healthy risk-taking for children with anxiety

Evaluating risk is a very important skill for children to learn. Overly anxious children may be reluctant to take safe risks.  At camp they’ll be challenged to confront fears and anxiety.  They’ll learn that it’s safe to separate from family and that they can be independent.  Camp can help kids learn to challenge themselves, and learn when it’s the right time to sit something out.

Everyone wins when kids go to camp

Ever wonder why passengers on airplanes are told to help themselves first when the oxygen masks drop down? Parents need to take care of themselves to take good care of kids. When kids and their parents have healthy breaks (called respite) they enjoy each other’s company more, and are able to have quality time together.  Remember, when children go to camp they’re not just playing kickball or kayaking. They’re being taught skills that help them in life. Also it provides parents an opportunity to recharge their batteries and take care of themselves. Everyone wins when kids go to camp

Reference:

Louv, R. (2005). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

 

 

 

 

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

Read more