Depression Management for Adolescents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Depression
is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness that do not go away. You may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. These feelings may interfere with your daily life. Depression may be caused by changes in brain chemicals that affect your mood. Stress, a family history of depression, and conditions such as ADHD can increase your risk. Do not wait for the feelings to go away. Depression can be managed.
Common signs and symptoms include the following:
- Appetite changes, or weight gain or loss
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Lack of energy
- Feeling restless, irritable, or withdrawn
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, discouraged, or guilty
- Trouble concentrating, remembering things, doing daily tasks, or making decisions
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US), or ask someone to call if:
- You think about hurting or killing yourself or another person.
- You tell someone you want to hurt or kill yourself or another person.
Call your doctor or therapist if:
- Your symptoms do not improve.
- You have new or worsening symptoms.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment:
Your healthcare provider will help you and your family develop a plan for your treatment. Your provider will help you make plans for coping at home, school, and around friends. The plan may include an emergency contact in case you feel like hurting yourself or others. It may also include regular exercise, good nutrition, and any of the following:
- Antidepressant medicine may be given to decrease or manage symptoms. You may need to take this medicine for several weeks before they start working. Tell your provider about any side effects or problems you have with your medicine. The type or amount of medicine may need to be changed.
- Therapy can help you learn to cope with your thoughts and feelings. This can be done alone or in a group. It may also be done with family members. Therapy and antidepressant medicines are often used together to treat depression or prevent it from coming back later. Healthcare providers can help you find the kinds of medicine and therapy that work best for you.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Self-care:
- Get regular physical activity. Try to get at least 1 hour of physical activity every day, such as going for a walk. Physical activity can improve depression and help you sleep better.
- Get enough sleep. Create a routine to help you relax before bed. You can listen to music, read, or do yoga. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Sleep is important for emotional health.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. A healthy meal plan is low in fat, salt, and added sugar. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about a meal plan that is right for you.
- Do not use alcohol, nicotine products, or drugs. These can make your symptoms worse. Tell your provider if you use these and need help to quit.
If you need to talk to someone:
- Talk to an adult you trust. If you feel like you cannot talk to your parents, talk to a school nurse or counselor. Tell someone about your feelings and thoughts. Tell the person if you feel like you might harm yourself. Tell him or her if you are being bullied by someone.
- Talk with your friends. Your friends can listen and understand how you feel. Your friends can support you and help you focus on positive things in your life.
- Contact a crisis hotline: Many crisis hotlines are available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Contact a suicide prevention organization:
- For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
- Call or text 988
- Send a chat on https://988lifeline.org/chat
- Call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
- For the Suicide Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)
- For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
- For a list of international numbers: https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/
- Contact a suicide prevention organization:
Follow up with your therapist or doctor as directed:
Follow-up visits are a way for healthcare providers to learn if your depression is getting better. Reschedule any missed appointments as soon as possible. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
For more information or support:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
Arlington , VA 22203
Phone: 1- 703 - 524-7600
Phone: 1- 800 - 950-6264
Web Address: http://www.nami.org
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
PO Box 2345
Rockville , MD 20847-2345
Phone: 1- 800 - 988
Web Address: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org OR https://988lifeline.org/chat/
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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