Parenting: The Challenge

It’s fairly normal for teens to experience angst but when is it considered depression? I recently read that an estimate 20% of teens will experience depression at some point before they reach adulthood. 20-40% will experience more than one depressive episode within two years and 70% will have more than one depressive episode before they reach adulthood. Those figures are staggering! Know the symptoms of depression in teens; fatigue, changes in weight or eating habits, loss of interest in activities they normally enjoy, feelings go hopelessness or worthlessness. Many teens are under a great deal of stress and are going through hormonal changes and are moving into becoming independent. The best thing you can do is be there for your teen and engage with them about what is going on in their life. If you think their issue is more serious, see a doctor.