Your teen can be sad from time to time. They can have a bad day, feel moody, snap at their siblings, not want to talk. All of that is normal for anyone of any age and can be worse when dealing with the hormones of adolescence. It takes time to learn to process emotions and act accordingly.
That is much different than depression. Many people will mistake real depression for the normal ups and downs of teen development. That can be a life threatening mistake, as suicide has become the second leading cause of death among those under the age of 24, starting as young as 10-years-old.
Recognizing The Symptoms
The way your teen reacts to depression could differ. Sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose from the regular feelings mentioned above. But some common symptoms may include any combination of the following:
- Frequent sadness
- Crying bouts
- Irritability or irrational anger
- Apathy or a sense of not caring about anything
- A change in habits, such as no time with friends, more time on the computer or not wanting to partake in activities they did before
- Changes in sleep patterns (too much or too little)
- Changes in appetite (too much or too little)
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Changes in hygiene levels
- Anxiety or frequent fear
- Excessive feelings of guilt, even for small mistakes
- Self defeating or insulting language
- Drop in grades
- Signs of self harm
- Suicidal ideation
If you suspect your teen may be depressed, it is time to get some professional help. But what happens if therapy alone doesn’t seem to be working?
How a Therapeutic Boarding School May Help
First of all, what is a therapeutic boarding school? It is a facility that is haf academic center, half therapeutic center. It works as an in-patient residential treatment program, providing therapy and recreational therapy, among other benefits.
In a therapeutic boarding center, half of your child’s time will be spent learning coping skills and getting to the root of their depression. The other half will be spent with one on one tutors and in small classes where they can get the individualized attention they need.
These programs are especially beneficial to students who have seen a significant drop in their grades and don’t know how to get back on track. All therapeutic boarding schools are fully accredited and monitored by the Board of Education. Their unique program can help a teen catch up to their peers and make up lost credits.
Find out more at Help Your Teen Now.
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