Depression

Short-term depression is caused by hopelessness. Our teens are under unprecedented pressure and are inundated with messages telling them they must be perfect, beautiful, and the best.

Over the course of our lives, we all experience blocked goals. The level of frustration this creates depends upon:

• How big the goal is
• How many goals are blocked
• How big the barrier is
• How long the barrier persists
• How much emotional strength they have to deal with the resulting feelings

If the goal continues to be blocked the rage may give way to despair and cynicism. Despair is a place of resignation and hopelessness.

What Causes a Lack of Hope?

All of us occasionally have days when we feel hopeless. For some people, however, the hopelessness extends for weeks, months, and even years. Hopelessness results when goal-directed thinking decreases to a point of apathetic indifference. A person stuck in hopelessness has an enduring sense of apathy about life goals.

How Do You Develop Hope in Teenagers?

No matter what a teen's life experience has been, they can experience healing and learn to be more hopeful. There are many stories of people who overcome tremendous odds and difficult family situations to pursue their dreams and goals. Hope can always grow, even in places where it has not grown well before. Helping teens dream big dreams and think more positively about themselves and their lives can help in developing a more hopeful outlook on life.

Hope for the future will increase during the turbulent adolescent years if a teen can form a strong identity and develop a clear vision for the future. Solid self-identity helps teens have more goal-directed thinking. If teens have a clear idea of who they are, what they are good at, and what they have to offer the world, they will perceive the future more positively.

Ways to Cope with Depression

Short-term depression is often caused by disbeliefs. A helpful means to cope with short-term depression is by adopting the acronym "BE-LEAPS":

• BREAK the grip of self and serve someone. Volunteering gets your attention off yourself, you will be amazed at how often feelings of depression disappear.
• EAT a healthy, balanced diet while cutting down your sugar intake.
• LOWER your expectations. Accept that challenges, including change, are a normal part of life. Stop expecting perfection in yourself and others.
• EXERCISE boosts serotonin levels in the brain, triggering a natural mood upswing. Find an exercise you like.
• ALLOW yourself to feel sad. Do not allow others to try to force you to feel otherwise. Accept that it's natural to feel a whole spectrum of emotions during the holidays. On the other hand, try not to fixate, or to stay stuck, on your feelings of sadness.
• PRACTICE gratitude. Notice the good things in your life, not just the painful parts. Don’t fake emotions you don't feel, but don’t be blind to reality.
• STOP trying to control your friends and family members. Listen. Suggest. Warn. There is no way you can control peoples' feelings or their personalities.

Resources

For resources including treatment, counseling, and psychiatric care, contact your health care insurance for a list of approved providers. Every insurance company has mental health professionals on staff that can help guide you in the best direction for your child.

If you do not have insurance, do not hesitate to contact a mental health provider as many offer sliding scale (discounted) fees or contact your local county mental health division who can also help. If you feel your child is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911 or the crisis line of your county.

Books:

• Kaufman, Miriam. (2001). Overcoming Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents. Firefly Books, Limited.

Websites:

• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center - A website providing resources about depression.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness guide. Discusses teen depression, treatment options, and other resources.