What Is Depression?

depressedboy

If a doctor or medical professional tells you that your child may be depressed, what does that really mean? The trouble with depression is it’s not a rash—it’s hard to “see”—although in research, brain studies can show how the brain can look different in someone who is depressed. So then how does a doctor know that’s what’s wrong?

It comes down to symptoms—these are complaints your child may have or you may notice—that tend to go together in someone who is depressed. Sometimes your child might not tell you they feel this way so it can be tough for you to see the symptoms. On the other hand, they might say they feel fine because they don’t want you to worry, but you definitely notice something is not right. Symptoms include:

  • Feeling down most of the day. Maybe your child notices they are just feeling sad, empty, or down in the dumps. They might not even notice—but you might see they are tearful or irritable much of the time.
  • Not interested in things they used to like. Things they used to think were fun aren’t fun anymore. They don’t really do them and even if they don’t notice or say they don’t care, you notice the difference.
  • Changes in appetite or weight. They’re hungry all the time, or they don’t feel like anything tastes good anymore.
  • Problems with sleep. They are tired and sleepy all day even when they get enough rest, or the opposite—they can’t fall asleep no matter how hard they try.
  • Tiredness or not having energy. 
  • They feel like everything is their fault. They feel like they’re no good at anything.
  • They have a tough time concentrating or making decisions.
  • They may have thoughts of suicide.

MOST important is that because of these symptoms, they are having trouble living the life they want to live. 

It might mean they are not achieving their goals, getting to school every day, getting to work, doing the fun activities they used to do, or being the kind of friend they want to be.

A health professional can help you and your child figure out if your child should get treatment for depression or if something else could be causing the symptoms. For example, having a low blood count can cause sleepiness, fatigue, and a tough time concentrating. Sometimes it can take many visits for you, your child, and your health professional to figure out the best way to help.

The most important thing is if you notice these symptoms in your child, something is wrong, and although its easier to say to yourself, “Maybe they will just go away,” often they won’t. The good news is the sooner you do something about them, the better. The brain of the adolescent and young adult is amazing—it is kind of like clay—mold-able into many different things! Talking to a trusted health professional will be your next best step.

Self-Care Outside of Therapy

Actual Conversation:

Person 1: I go to therapy every week, why do I need to do anything else about this?

Person 2: If you do your self-care work, therapy is going to go a lot smoother.

Person 1: Therapy IS my self-care!

Person 2: It’s part of your self-care.

519431487_30b3b4d881_oPerhaps you’ve been on both sides of this conversation, maybe you’ve had it with yourself. It’s important to remember that therapy and medication are parts of the self-care and self-love process.

That can be really hard to cope with when it takes a lot to just get to therapy and open up there. It’s important to be mindful that adolescents may not want to discuss their therapy or self-care activities with you. But it is important to keep the door of communication open.

One way to do that is to create a habit of just checking in with your adolescent daily. Or just going on a walk together where no one has to say anything, but the door is open to it. Another way is to demonstrate that you do self-care for yourself, and name the activity “self-care time.” Doing so makes it easier for them to say “Other people also do things to take care of themselves outside of treatment, maybe I can too.”

What are some ways that you encourage your adolescent to engage in self-care outside of therapy or medication? What are ways that you take care of yourself? 

 

Motivation

Sometimes we all need a little extra help with something hard. Many people, including youths, start smoking and find it incredibly difficult to quit. image DoSomething.org currently has campaign to for people to help other people quit the deadly habit. It’s called “Quitters Always Win” and you can win a $5000 scholarship by signing up to send a card to someone trying to quit! You can sign up here!

Do you think this kind of positive encouragement is useful? Where in your life could you use a card? Tell us about if you signed up and made a card or if you need a little extra boost in your life! 

Trust Somebody

Now when you’re outta your mind

Working that blind

To turn it around you better trust somebody

Look at yourself you like what you see

If you want something else you better trust somebody

Ain’t no one but a stranger to you

But I can show you what love can do

What do you think of this song? Have you trusted someone before with awesome results? How can we cultivate a trusting relationship with adolescents? 

What Depression Really Looks Like

Photo Credit: Ian Halsey via Compfight cc Photo

An awesome article by Buzzfeed was published about what depression actually looks like. We think it’s important to understand that depression is a universal thing, meaning that it can affect ANYONE. Often, depression and anxiety are portrayed with sad, gloomy, black & white pictures- which is not always the case. In fact, people experiencing depression, anxiety, and many other mental illnesses often look exactly like somebody who is not experiencing mental illness! These dark and gloomy pictures used to portray depression are one of the major reasons people think the way they do about mental illness. It is crucial to share articles like this and inform people that these photos are not how mental illness actually looks. This is a perfect place to start in the battle to end the stigma around the topic. 

Click the link above and let us know what you think! Do you think the pictures used to portray depression play a role in the stigma around it? 

Let your light shine

Photo Credit: fjny via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: fjny via Compfight cc

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”

What do you think? Are you letting your light shine?