Many teens face mental health challenges. Though some of that is due to changing hormones and the brain’s continued growth, it is not uncommon for teens to feel intense symptoms that need to be addressed. Teen depression and anxiety are real conditions that need professional treatment. In a mental health treatment center, a teen can learn how to cope with their symptoms and gain more control over their futures as a result.
Signs Teen Depression and Anxiety Require Professional Help
Teens can have mood swings. They may experience natural and healthy levels of anxiety. However, both depression and anxiety can occur at unhealthy levels, leading to the potential for health complications and development limitations. It can also impact cognitive function and decision making. Some signs a teen may need professional help include:
- Withdrawing from activities once loved
- Isolation from friends and family
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Engaging in reckless behavior
- Excessive worry or paranoia that’s unfounded
You may be unsure if a teen has crossed the line from healthy mental development into depression and anxiety. A consultation with a professional can open the door to a better understanding of what may be happening.
Teen Depression and Anxiety Can Improve in Professional Care
For those who need it, treating teen depression starts with understanding the cause. In some cases, there are chemical imbalances that can bring on symptoms of depression. Other times, hormone levels may be the cause. In other situations, a person may struggle with depression because of experiences, past trauma, high stress, and the environment. In these situations, treating the condition requires psychotherapy, confidence building, and support.
The same applies to anxiety. In a teen anxiety treatment program, the first goal is to understand the cause. This is sometimes harder to determine than depression since anxiety is a very normal human emotion. Yet, the goal is to look at how it is excessive. In a treatment program, a teen learns how to control negative thoughts that often spiral out of control and lead to the onset of extreme anxiety.
Teen Depression and Anxiety Therapies Offer Opportunity
Therapy is a powerful tool to help with teen depression and anxiety symptoms. During individual sessions with a counselor, teens learn how to manage their thoughts. Often, it is inaccurate or negative thoughts that lead to the onset of these symptoms. A teen may worry excessively about a stressful situation, creating negative beliefs that they are not good enough or cannot accomplish tasks. They may become obsessed with a specific situation and simply avoid it. In therapy, they learn how to overcome those self-imposed limitations and overcome the challenges.
Many therapy programs can help with this, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing therapy
- Individual therapy programs
- Group therapy programs
After meeting with a counselor, an individual treatment plan is created to deal with the specific needs of the teen. That may also include help for drug and alcohol addiction if they are using those substances, especially if they are using them as a way to manage mental health disorder symptoms. Treatment also may include holistic therapy. These are strategies aimed at helping heal the body, mind, and spirit. Some examples include yoga, art, music, or recreational therapy.
Through therapy, a teen can embrace new ways to look at the world around them. They also gain the insight and support to know when to reach out for additional support if they notice symptoms worsening.
Embrace Treatment for Teen Depression and Anxiety Today
If your teen is suffering, seek out treatment that can redefine their future. Working closely with a team of professionals in a mental health treatment program can make that possible. For parents unsure if their teen needs help, there’s no risk in requesting a consultation today.