Puberty; It is a challenging period when your child experiences major changes in many areas of his life in a short time and tries to get to know himself and build an identity. Many teenagers may feel unstable and lonely at times during this period, but teenage depression is much more than that. If your child is suffering from Major Depression; You may see various symptoms accompanying intense unhappiness, despair and anger . Do not wait and hope that these symptoms will go away on their own. Depression is painful for your child and can negatively impact all of your daily lives, but fortunately, as a parent, there are a variety of ways you can help your depressed child feel better.
Learn about teenage depression.
Learning about Major Depression in teenagers will make it easier for you to understand your child's experience and find an appropriate solution if your child is experiencing depression. Know that depression is a serious illness and can be treated. To get detailed information about Major Depression seen in adolescents, you can refer to our article titled "Major Depression and Adolescence".
Talk to your child.
If you have noticed depressive symptoms in your child, share this with him. Explain to your child how and why these symptoms worry you. Create a space where your child can share his feelings and thoughts with you. Listen to your child. If your child tells you that everything is going well but you're still unsure, sometimes trusting your intuition can be a good option.
Don't judge your child.
The last thing your child needs when he or she is going through a difficult time is to be judged and judged. Do not criticize, judge, or belittle your child's experience. Remember that things that seem unimportant to you may have greater meaning than you imagine for your child going through adolescence. Consolatory phrases such as "Oh, are you worried about this? This will pass, never mind..." will make your child feel misunderstood and reinforce his/her depressive state.
Be there for your child
Approach your child with love. Try to understand your child. Don't force your child to do anything, encourage him. Make your child feel that you will not give up on your child, that you are there for him unconditionally and that you will support him when he needs it.
Try to keep your child's social life alive.
Your child may be withdrawing from you, his friends, or activities he once enjoyed; You need to prevent this situation as much as possible because social isolation can further exacerbate your child's depressive state. Plan family activities; This activity could be going to a park, watching a movie, preparing a meal together, or even going for a walk. Encourage your child to go out and spend time with friends; You can buy their concert tickets and buy them food. It's not a bad idea to invite your child's friends to your home either. Social, artistic or sporting activities may also be more beneficial than you might imagine. For example, starting a dance class may alleviate your child's depressive symptoms by both increasing physical activity and allowing them to spend time with others. Does your child seem reluctant for everything? Don't give up, continue to encourage him and find alternatives that may interest him.
Help your child help others.
Did you know that doing things for others can have an antidepressant effect and improve self-confidence? Volunteering activities, such as taking part in a project for disadvantaged people or working in an animal rights association, give your child a sense of purpose in life. Help your child discover the areas he is interested in, what he can do in this field and the places he can apply.
Pay attention to your child's physical health.
Mental and physical health are an inseparable whole. Make sure your child takes proper care of his physical health. Your child may have unhealthy habits such as going to bed late and never waking up, spending hours in front of the screen, or constantly consuming junk food. At this point, be a model for him; Go to bed early and wake up early, turn off the television and chat with your spouse or child, reduce or eliminate junk food intake at home. The key to a healthy life is to move. Whether your child does sports or walks your dog, as long as he moves.
Don't hesitate to get professional help.
Of course, your support and some adjustments to your lifestyle can make a big difference in your depressed child's life, but unfortunately these may not always be enough. Especially if depression is severe, be sure to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist who works with adolescents. Remember that you don't have to try to handle everything on your own, and you can't handle everything on your own.
Ensure your child's active participation in the treatment process.
If your child is having a problem, it is understandable that you, as a parent, want it to get better as soon as possible and strive for it. You can offer your support, guidance and help to your child during this process, but you cannot fix this problem for him. Ask for your child's opinion during the treatment process. If your child does not want to continue with the current psychologist or psychiatrist, try to find a suitable option for him/her.
Follow the treatment process.
Make sure your child goes to appointments with a psychologist or psychiatrist. If your child is receiving medication, monitor whether he or she takes the medication at the frequency and dosage directed by the doctor, and give him small reminders if necessary. If you observe any side effects in your child regarding the treatment process or a negative change in depressive symptoms, contact your child's psychologist or psychiatrist.
Support your child during the treatment process.
Living with a depressed teenager can be difficult and tiring for you, too, but remember that your child needs your support more than ever. You may be overwhelmed, you may be met with anger, you may be rejected, but do not give up being there for your child, listening to him, trying to understand him and supporting him. Your child is not hurting you on purpose, your child is suffering from Major Depression, remember that.
Be patient.
Keep in mind that treating depression is a challenging process that takes time to achieve success. No matter what you do, your child's depressive symptoms will not go away overnight, and no psychologist or psychiatrist can create a miracle with a single appointment. Don't be hasty. During this process, your child will make small improvements; celebrate them, enjoy them. Sometimes there will be pauses or setbacks, so be prepared for them. Encourage your child for greater progress, but do not pressure him. Do not compare yourself or your child with others and criticize them harshly. This is not a race.
Take care of yourselves.
While you are trying to take care of your depressed child, you may be ignoring your own needs and using all your energy to make him/her better, but it is also very important that you are well in this process. Be good so that you can help your child too. Take care of yourself. Major Depression in one child can cause intense stress and anxiety in other family members, so take care to ensure the well-being of other family members as well as yourself. Find ways to reduce your stress. Eat right, sleep well, exercise, make time for the things you love. Sometimes you may feel tired, overwhelmed or helpless; Share these feelings with someone as much as possible, because talking about how you feel can reduce the intensity of these feelings that are challenging you.
