Talking to Teen Boys About Depression

1. Talking to Teen Boys About Depression Talking to Teen Boys About Depression Depression manifests differently in men and women. While women seem to be the more “depressed ones” with longer sleep-ins, constant crying, feeling immensely sad, moping, overeating, not caring about personal hygiene, etc., depressed men usually start behaving in an unpleasant way. They get angry or irritated at little things, would get impatient, and perpetually be in a foul mood. Ignoring these symptoms as something that would pass, may prove to be too expensive. Though it is tough to initiate a conversation in this regard, it would be unacceptable to actually let it go and hope that with time the symptoms would go away on their own. Understanding the condition Depression is a mental disorder characterized by constant feelings of despair, hopelessness and loss of interest in activities, substantial impairment in completing daily chores. depressed teens are usually deep in denial about their condition. Even if they are not, they can present a hundred reasons for the way they feel. In fact, they might do this till the debilitating condition affects everything that’s important for them, including their family and friends. They would blame their mood on their loved ones, school, friends, studies, sports, peer circle, and everything else they can think of. But, this does not mean that a conversation should be avoided. causing Young and ten They might take offense when talked to and blame the one initiating the conversation for “accusing” them of being depressed. One way to get around this would be to include other friends and family members in the conversation. At the same time, ensure that the depressed person does not feel bullied into accepting that they are depressed. Do not involve too many people in one conversation and try to keep the tone of the conversation friendly and sympathetic. www.whiteriveracademy.com

2. If someone does not approach the individual now, it might be too late to do it later. Starting the conversation Start the conversation by telling the depressed teen that you are worried about him because you love him and care for him. Then list the symptoms of depression that the person displays, encouraging him to talk about them. He might offer an explanation for some of them. Accept his explanation, while letting him gently know that their clarification was not convincing enough. Don’t cross-question them to the point of gruelling them. Before starting the conversation, be mentally prepared to face a range of emotions. The feelings of the depressed person might be exhibited in the form of fear, anger, desperation, violence, self-harm, or anything else. Be prepared to sit through the entire burst of emotions. Be patient, friendly and compassionate. Before leaving the conversation, ensure that the affected individual has settled down enough to not harm himself. Talking about treatment Once the initial response to the conversation has settled down, tell them that depression is a treatable condition. There are many certified psychotherapists and clinicians, support groups, and credible rehabs that offer help for depression in adolescence. If they are still willing to listen, talk about treatment options. Tell them that a combination of therapies and medications can help manage the symptoms and cure the disorder. Rehab centers for depression teach teen boys the skills to successfully cope with the symptoms. Also tell them that lifestyle changes can go a long way in combatting the disorder. Depression can be treated Depression in teen boys is not uncommon. Unfortunately, 11 percent youth, aged between 12 and 17, have reported suffering from one or more episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the past year and 7.4 percent of them have reported severe depression. Treating depression is important as it interferes with personal, social and professional life and leads to suicide ideation. Since, depressed teenagers are unpredictable, certified teenage depression treatment centers have specific facilities catering to their needs. If you know a depressed teen boy aged 12-17 years, contact the White River Academy. Call our 24/7 helpline number (866) 300-0616 or chat online with a representative to know more about teens and depression and how our facility can help them. www.whiteriveracademy.com