You’ve noticed your teen or young adult not acting quite themselves lately. They seem moody, quiet and hide in their room a lot more than ever before. The thought that your child may be suffering from depression crosses your mind.
“But, isn’t this just what teenagers and young adults do?” you think to yourself.
It’s true teenagers and young adults go through a rollercoaster of emotions daily thanks to the onslaught of changing hormones. But here’s the thing: you don’t want to pass off “something” as “nothing.”
It’s horrible to think about. But it’s a harsh reality you have to face. The fact of the matter is, if you think your son or daughter needs help for teens or young adults, then you’re probably right.
Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers and Young Adults
First of all, you must understand that depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses are not a choice your child makes. They are disorders that require mental health professionals and treatment.
Secondly, to pinpoint whether or not you need to seek therapy for teens or young adults, you have to know what to look for. Not all emerging adults display the same signs and symptoms of depression. But you know your child better than anyone, so you would know if something seems “off”.
Here are the most common symptoms of depression in teenagers and young adults:
Feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, fearful, or angry for an extended period Withdrawal from family and friendsChanges in eating and sleeping habits Frequent talk about death and suicideTrouble concentrating and making decisionsDisplaying self-harming behaviorsDecline in academic performanceActing out sexuallyFeeling restless with an inability to settle down or focus Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyedRunning away from homeExtreme moodiness or angerRefusing to go to school due to frequent “illness” (stomach or headaches)
If any of the above symptoms of depression in teenagers and young adults sounds eerily familiar, don’t wait to reach out for help. Parents sometimes don’t want to deal with the pushback they might receive when you suggest they might need help. They often wait to see if the problems “resolve on their own.”
But it might be too late if you wait too long.
Early intervention could mean the difference between life and death.
Reasons Why Your Son Or Daughter May Require Therapy for Young Adults
You might think, “Why would my son or daughter be depressed? They have a good life”.
While that may be true, you have to remember depression isn’t necessarily a reflection of you and the life you’re providing for your child. Several biological, psychological, and environmental factors could lead to depression in teenagers and young adults.
<strong>Young adult and teen mental health is something you need to pay attention to<strong>
Here are some of the most common reasons teens and young adults suffer from depression:
Genetics
Physical illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer have genetic components. In other words, if your family has illnesses like these, you’re more likely to have them, and so are your children.
The same goes for mental illnesses. Some experts believe certain conditions are linked to genetic markers passed down from one generation to another. Even if you’ve never suffered from depression or anxiety, that doesn’t mean it’s not in your genetics. And in generations past, mental health was an incredibly taboo subject. So how would you know?
If your child was ever the victim of physical or emotional abuse or experienced a traumatic life event, they are more likely to develop depression.
Trauma physically impacts the brain and changes the way it is wired. So if your son or daughter has ever gone through trauma, their brains were negatively affected. This could give them a greater predisposition to developing depression in the teen or young adults years.
Low self-esteem
We all know being a teenager is rough, making teen mental health rocky, to begin with. With the changing hormones and ever-present perfection and judgment cast by social media and Hollywood, it’s no wonder depression in teenagers and young adults is at an all-time high.
Societal expectations
Teenagers and young adults don’t have the luxury of viewing others’ expectations and societal pressures as nonsense. There is an incredible amount of peer pressure, pressure to be popular, thin, or a star athlete in middle school, high school, and even college.
So many times, we see teens and young adults who feel like they aren’t “good enough” or that they “don’t matter” because they aren’t in the popular crowd or they aren’t the best at anything their peers deem “cool.” These feelings have a substantial negative impact on young adult and teen mental health.
<strong>Societal expectations and peer pressure have a big impact on young adults and teens mental health<strong>
These are just some of the reasons your son or daughter may be struggling with depression. Everyone’s situation, history, experience, and genetic makeup is so different it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of depression in teenagers and young adults.
Don’t Wait. Get the Best Help for Teens and Young Adults at Dayrise Wellness
We know you have options when choosing therapy for teens and young adults. But you should know not all mental health providers are created equal. Here at Dayrise Wellness in Lombard, IL, we specialize in helping teens and young adults improve their mental health.
We don’t treat young children, and we don’t treat adults. Only teens and young adults.
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to your child’s mental health treatment plan. Instead, we curate an optimal therapy program to provide immediate solutions and lasting results.
Your child deserves therapy for young adults and teens that surpasses all others. We’re passionate about helping emerging adults like your son or daughter to thrive in school, relationships, and life.
Don’t wait to get help for your teen or young adult. Waiting could be dangerous. We’re here for you 24/7, ready to take your call or email. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today, and get help for your son or daughter quickly before it’s too late.
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