How to Help Teenage Blues
Most parents want the best for their children and cannot bear to see them miserable. A lot of different factors can lead to unhappiness in teenagers, from failed romances and low self-esteem to trouble at school and loneliness. If you are the parent of a teenager who is suffering from a serious case of the teenage blues, take action in order to get him motivated and passionate about life again.
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Instructions
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Reach out to your teenager. Open the lines of communication by expressing to him that you are aware of his overall mood. Indicate to him that he appears to be unhappy and because of that, you are worried for him. Ask him if he will share with you the possible causes of his depression. Bring up the possibility of depression or a mental disorder. Speak to him in a non-judgmental, compassionate and confidential manner. Keep the conversation under wraps. Make sure other family members do not listen in or overhear it.
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Persevere. Out of embarrassment or concern for privacy, your teenager may initially be unwilling to speak with you regarding the topic of her unhappiness. Because of this, it may take you a few tries to get her to talk to you. Allow your teenager a little bit of time to become relaxed enough to engage in a conversation with you.
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Talk about consequences. Explain to your teen exactly why his mood is troubling to you. Discuss some of the bad effects that are often associated with unhappiness and depression, including slipping grades, alcohol abuse, dangerous behavior (such as reckless driving), anorexia, insomnia, decreased feelings of self-worth and suicidal thoughts. Alerting your teenager to these possibilities may be the wake-up call that he needs to seek help, either from you or from a professional.
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Think about how you treat your teenager. A lot of teenage depression is linked to problems with parents. Teens often feel repressed, suffocated and misunderstood in their households. To avoid that possibility, let your teen know that mistakes are inevitable and are a natural part of growing up and living life. Let her know that she is a her own person and that she is free to make her own choices in life. Let her know that you truly care about her and wish for only the best for her.
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Encourage your teenager to seek professional help. Overwhelming unhappiness is a serious problem and is often indicative of a bigger problem. Take your teenager to a general practitioner to see if he is suffering from a condition like depression. A doctor also may be able to tell you and your teenager that his unhappiness is caused by another factor, such as a dietary issue or insufficient sleep. If your teen does indeed suffer from depression, seek a reputable therapist in your area. Speak with the therapist about the many treatment options, from antidepressant prescriptions to group support programs.
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Talk about the importance of a social life. If your teen is unhappy, it may help him greatly to get out into the world a little bit. Encourage your teen to broaden his horizons, either by socializing and meeting new people or taking up a new hobby and finding his passion in life.
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Tips & Warnings
If your teenager agrees to speak to you (or someone else) about her problem, sincerely praise her bravery in admitting that something is wrong.
If you are worried in any way that your teenager is suicidal, get immediate help. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Do not hesitate to get help.
References
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