12 Hudson Valley Parent
n
April 2020
Keep the conversation going. See the compete article and
get tips on raising teens at HVParent.com/RealTalk
Dr. Paul Schwartz
Professor of psychology and education
Jill Valentino,
A mom's perspective
The teen years can be an extremely
difficult period given the drama that
permeates the often-everyday life of
today's adolescents. Depression affects
teenagers far more often than many of
us realize. The estimation is that one in
five adolescents from all walks of life
suffer from depression at some point
during their teen years. While depres-
sion is highly treatable, most depressed
teens never receive help.
Adolescents deal with issues such as
peer pressure, academic expectations
and their changing bodies which can
bring a lot of ups and downs for teens.
It's no wonder their moods swing like
a pendulum. But for some teens, the
lows are more than just temporary
feelings
- they're a symptom of de-
pression. Adolescent depression goes
beyond the normal moodiness. It's a
serious health problem that impacts
every aspect of a teen's life.
According to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services,
most teenagers have positive mental
health experiences. However, almost
20 percent of teens deal with a
serious mental health issue at some
point during their adolescent years.
Not all undesirable teenage
behaviors indicate a mental health
issue. Most adolescents are prone to
mood swings, and brief displays of
sadness, anxiety, or exuberance that
are, generally, normal. Red flags that
could signify a more serious mental
health issue include:
• Prolonged behavioral symptoms
• Symptoms that interfere with
relationships and daily functioning.
If you suspect your teen is de-
pressed, schedule a pediatric exam.
If the doctor agrees that your child
could be depressed, your teen may
be referred to a specialist for evalua-
tion and treatment.
My teen seems depressed. How can I help?
A series answering parents' toughest
questions when raising a teen
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