As a parent of a teen, you have a right to be worried about depression. The rates of teen depression are rising and are at record-high levels right now. For instance, the CDC estimates that feelings of sadness or hopelessness kept 42% of high school students from fully participating in activities for at least two weeks last year. Even worse, 22% of high school students in 2021 seriously considered attempting suicide.
We don’t know for sure why there is a rise in mental health issues. However, experts suggest that:
- increased screen time,
- social media apps,
- family instability,
- and social isolation during COVID
are to blame. On the other hand, it could be the increased stress in their daily lives that teens are subjected to. After all, Teens get so much more information on a daily basis than ever before. Certainly, that is going to translate to a huge increase in stress compared to any generation before.
How can you tell if you should be worried about your teen?
Depression is diagnosed by a variety of symptoms lasting at least two weeks which include:
- Feelings of sadness
- persistent irritability
- feeling hopeless or empty
- being easily frustrated
- unintentional weight gain or loss or a change in appetite
- changes in sleep habits
- an excessive sense of worthlessness
- low self-esteem
- sensitivity to rejection or failure
- impaired ability to think, concentrate or make decisions
- frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches
- less concern for personal hygiene
- use of alcohol or driugs
Just one or two of these symptoms by themselves is not a major warning. However, if the symptoms were to persist for two weeks, you should be concerned. Similarly, if you had more of them for an extended period of time, a professional should be consulted.
Which Teens Are at the Greatest Risk?
Conditions that increase the risk of depression in teens include:
- excesssive stress
- grieving the loss of a parent or loved one
- The break-up of a romantic relationship
- school issues,
- having a chronic illness
- being a victim of abuse, neglect, or trauma
- having a netgative body imagte
- parents who have depression
- post-pubertal females
- kids that identify as part of LGBTQIA+ community
What Are The Treatment Options?
All treatment options need to be studied before a decision is made. Indeed, prescription drugs are the biggest part of the traditional approach. In fact, the most popular drugs have the side effects of suicidal thoughts or actions. Unquestionably, I personally think this is a bad thing for teens who are already depressed. Undoubtedly, there is no way to know how your child will react until the medication is tried. Obviously, this is a very scary form of treatment to try.
A second type of approach focuses, basically, on what is causing the symptoms the teen is exhibiting. The symptoms are often associated with a brain in the sympathetic (overdrive) state. Experiencing extreme stress, consequently, pushes the brain into that state. Unfortunately, many people will overlook this potential cause if the teen has not had a single overwhelming, stressful event. However, multiple smaller events can add up and reach the level of an overwhelming state.
A very advanced form of chiropractic care called Network Spinal has been very effective in calming the brain. Once the brain is calmed, the symptoms will leave, and the teen will be back to a normal state. Many experts suggest you try this type of care first before heading to a prescription-based type of care. /this is due to the fact there are no side effects from the Network Spinal Care.
A set of computerized scans let us know whether the teen qualifies for this type of care. Call us at 402-333-4848 to set up a scan for your teen right now.
Depression in Omaha, NE can be helped by Dr. Jack Belitz, DC
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