Psychiatric Care Can Help Your Depressed Teen

When your teenager first expresses to you that they are stressed and anxious, your first thought may be to brush their feelings away as part of hormonal teenage growth. However, depression in teens is serious and the pressure to fit in socially — both online and in their physical life — get good grades, and to select a college or career as they near adulthood adds up.

You should always listen to your teenager and give them the attention they deserve, because depression untreated will only get worse. There are many ways you can help your teen cope with their feelings, especially when they are having issues opening up to you. Psychiatric care is a benefit your teenager can take advantage of before their feelings escalate in damaging ways. Here are ways psychiatric care can help your depressed teen.

Your teen is placed in a healthy, safe environment

If your teenager has ever made threats of harming themselves or others, or has made off-hand remarks about suicide, then take these actions and statements seriously. Psychiatric care can be done in an inpatient setting where your teen can spend days or longer in the care of professional therapists who will make sure your teen won't harm themselves or someone else. Your teen will also receive guidance to learn how to cope with their reactions to the world around them and their personal feelings.

Your teen gets the opportunity to be themselves

You may never truly know why your teenager is depressed, and perhaps your teen doesn't know either. The reality is, it doesn't matter so much what is causing your teen to feel the way they do, just that they can be themselves and talk about their issues and feelings with someone they trust. Parents are often considered to be too biased or judgemental for teens to turn to, so giving your young one a person they can speak to without fear of repercussion is the best way you can help them.

A professional psychiatrist who specializes in teenager issues and depression can be assigned to your teenager. Your teen will learn how to keep a journal, be open about their feelings, and stand up for themselves in new ways while being able to learn how to trust another individual. It may take more than one psychiatric care professional to treat your teen as your family learns the best method of treatment for your struggling child.


Share