How to talk to a teen with depression

My teen has just been diagnosed with depression. I feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to talk to him.Can you help me?

Studies show an alarming trend, of a rise in depression among teens. Experts urge that if you suspect that a teenager in your life is suffering from depression, you should take action right away. Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so you should not wait and simply hope that the symptoms will go away. Keep in mind that even if you are unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors, and emotions you may seeing in your teenager, are signs of a problem. The bottom line is that whether or not, that problem turns out to be depression, it still needs to be addressed and the sooner the better.

The first thing you should do if you suspect your teen is depressed is to talk to them about it. This needs to be done in a loving, and non-judgmental way, while you share your concerns, with your teenager. You need to let him or her know what specific signs of depression you have noticed, and why they worry you. Then you can encourage your child to open up about what he or she is going through. Here are some tips for helping you talk to your teen-

• Offer your support-You need to let your depressed teen know that you're there for them, fully and unconditionally. You will need to hold back from asking a lot of questions (teenagers don't like to feel patronized or crowded), but you want to make it clear that you are ready, and willing to provide whatever support they need.


• Be gentle but be persistent-You must not give up if your adolescent shuts you out at first. Remember that talking about depression, can be very tough for teens. You need to be respectful of your child's comfort level, while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.


• Try to listen without lecturing-You need to try and resist any urge to criticize, or pass judgment, once your teenager begins to talk. Remember that the important thing is that your child is communicating. You should also avoid offering unsolicited advice or ultimatums as well.


• Validate his or her feelings-You should not try to talk your teen out of their depression, even if their feelings, or concerns, appear silly or irrational to you. You should simply acknowledge the pain, and sadness they are feeling. It is important to realize that if you don't, they will feel like you don't take their emotions seriously.


• As your teen goes through treatment and recovery, there are things that you can do to facilitate the process. These include:


• Be understanding-It can be difficult but during this trying time, it's important to remember that your child is not being difficult on purpose. Remember that your teen is suffering, so do your best to be patient and understanding.


• Continue to encourage physical activity. Research has shown that exercise can go a long way toward relieving the symptoms of depression, so find ways to incorporate it into your teenager's day.


• Continue to encourage social activity. You should encourage your teenager to see friends, since isolation only makes depression worse. You can offer to take your teen out with friends, or suggest social activities that might be of interest, such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art class.


• Stay involved in his or her treatment. You will need to make sure your teenager is following all treatment instructions, and going to therapy. It's especially important that your teen takes any prescribed medication as instructed. You should track changes in your teen's condition, and call the doctor if depression symptoms seem to be getting worse.


• Learn about depression. Remember that the more you know, the better equipped you'll be to help your depressed teen. You can also encourage them to find out more about depression, in order to foster feeling of empowerment.