Most of us know teens can be moody or irritable, largely thanks to hormonal fluctuations and the developing urge to be independent. But teens can — and do — often suffer from depression, a far more serious medical problem that can have long-lasting and even life-threatening implications.
As a parent of a teenager, you want to do everything possible to help your teen stay physically and emotionally healthy. In this post, learn how a behavioral health evaluation with the team at Harbor Community Health Centers can help your teen get the compassionate care and attention they need to manage depression effectively now and in their future.
Most of us feel depressed from time to time, but clinical depression is different from “regular” sadness, and the way it shows up in teens can make it difficult to spot. Recognizing those signs in your teen is the first step in helping them find the treatment they need to feel better and prevent the problem from getting worse.
In general, clinical depression is associated with feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem — even self-hatred. And while “normal” sadness is associated with a definable cause, like the loss of a friendship or a relationship breakup, the cause of depression is chemical — and that can make it even more frustrating to deal with.
In trends, depression symptoms can be subtle. Some symptoms to watch out for include:
Always be on the lookout for comments that reflect low self-esteem, hopelessness toward life or living, or general sadness.
Depression is serious, and without proper management, it can lead to long-term health and behavioral issues and even suicide. The good news: Depression is treatable, and like any medical condition, the sooner treatment begins, the better for your teen.
With the right treatment plan in place, teens can rebuild their confidence and self-esteem, set positive goals, and improve their overall outlook on life and the future. That all begins with a behavioral health evaluation.
Behavioral health evaluations are just what they sound like: An in-depth, personalized, compassionate, professional assessment of your teen’s behavioral and emotional issues and concerns, including depression, anxiety, and similar disorders.
During your teen’s evaluation, our team performs a comprehensive assessment of their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The goal: to understand what your teen is experiencing, to identify the presence of depression or a similar disorder, and to establish a roadmap for treatment.
Evaluations include one-on-one private discussions between our team and your teen, culminating in treatment recommendations that may include medication and individual, family, or group counseling, combined with healthy lifestyle changes. Ongoing visits with our team ensure your teen’s treatment plan stays on track and tuned to their needs, providing your teen (and your family) with hope and encouragement along the way.
Depression can significantly alter your child’s emotional and physical wellness, taking a toll on their performance in school, their ability to make and keep friends, and their ultimate success and happiness in life. To learn how a behavioral health evaluation can help your child manage their depression symptoms and improve their overall wellness, call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two locations in San Pedro, California, today.
