By: Ebony N. Story, MSN, RN
Depression is defined as persistent sadness, lack of interest, or pleasure in activities. As you know, this can be not easy to see in teenagers. The difficulty happens because a teenager has a bad day and may stay in their room for the entire night without even eating dinner. If this happens once, this is not depression, but you should seek help if this persists over a few weeks. Teenagers are a very delicate population. One of the best ways to communicate with the teenage population is to talk to them directly. Ask the questions you have and respect that they have feelings. I remember being a teenager and being told: “what could you possibly have to be depressed about?”. This statement made me, as a teenager, continue to hide my feelings, and as an adult allowed me to not deal with my feelings. Approaching my children differently and ask them how they feel and allow them to express these feelings without judgment. Parents must remember to listen more than we talk and observe your teenagers. It is not easy being in a world where everything you do can be caught on camera and shared on social media. Today’s teenager is expected to be perfect for everyone around them. Parents remember that home must be where teenagers can be safe to express themselves and feel. Reclaim your relationship with your teenager. Be an ear to listen, slow to speak, and offer them affection. Depression is real, and it does not discriminate due to age. If you need help talking to your teenager, please reach out to us via email at yourstoryconcierge@gmail.com; we will help you find the resources available to fit your situation.