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“I am going to have my moody times” ~Lucinda Williams.

This is just what every teenager in every nook and corner of the world feels. They are caught between being an adult and being a kid, which could make them rebellious and emotional. They are fighting a battle of their own. But, depression is a completely different thing! It is not normal for a teenager to go through depression, and there are subtle signs that tend to differentiate normal behaviour with depression.

How will you know whether or not, your teenager is fighting depression? Here are some signs that could help you through.

• It is very common among teens to be rebellious, and moody. You may find them to be highly temperamental. Such teens are not depressed. Normally teens require more sleep than their adult counterparts. They are moody beings and tend to be over-emotional on most days. What is the difference then? Changes in appetite, lower concentration levels, inability to perform, lacking interest in most activities and withdrawal are all signs that your teenager is depressed. This could be accompanied by aggression, and irritation. If this persists, you may want to consult a therapist.
• Depressed teens are not troublemakers or loners, as the general theory goes. You may observe depression in teens who appear to be normal, don’t mess things up, and yet show all the signs that lead to the doors of depression
• Anxiety is a result of inability to cope with the social and academic pressures simultaneously, owing to depression.

The underlying issue would be depression, followed by other issues such as difficulty in learning, lack of observation etc.

How to help the teen cope with depression?

As a parent, it is important to believe that depression is completely curable. That’s the first step to start helping your teenager. Being patient while, your child undergoes anxiety and believing in them will be a good start to combat depression in your teenager. EFT and Bach Flower remedies have been known to work well in these situations. There is a range of alternative therapies too!

At this time around, the parent will need to guide the child step-by-step, urging and not forcing the teenager to take therapy. Apart from that, it is important for the parent to be a part of the treatment plan, understanding it thoroughly.

Patience is a useful quality while working with teenagers.

• Pay close attention to what your teenager is feeling. It is very important. Their feelings and their emotions need to be put into words, and only when they trust you, will they be able to share their emotions with you
• If your child is anxious, remember to stay calm and composed. If you panic, it will not help your child
• If they are not making any progress, you may need to support them. It is important that they believe you are fine with who they are, for them to improve and progress
• Keep your expectations in check. Modify them as per your child’s behaviour and progress
• Keep allowances for delays. It is possible the child is unable to get out of bed in the morning owing to their condition. If that’s the case, make sure you have enough room for delay in your plans.

Parents can be very supportive in ensuring the child’s well-being and will need to compose themselves to get their child out of depression.