Warning signs: Is your teen concealing distraught emotions behind that smile?

Smiling is it only an expression?

Warning signs your teen acting to be happy. Teenage depression is often difficult for parents to detect. No one is immune to depression. This may sound like a cliche but its true we all get sad. Occasional bouts of despair do happen.  Part of raising children is making sure they become happy, well-adjusted adults. A smile does not necessarily mean happiness and tears do not always mean depression.

That wide smiling face and bubbly laugh may hide darkness underneath. You are not able to see the loneliness and inner pain. Yet, the warning signs exist – you just need to be aware. Suicide ranks third in causes of death. Among twelve and nineteen age group.

Warning signs: Is your teen concealing distraught emotions behind that smile?

Their emotions are up and down at times. Happy one day to grumpy and angry. Often to the point you think of giving up on your child. What is normal. “What do they have to be depressed about? They have everything they could possibly want or need!” Smiling depressions a  mood disorder that is mask with a smiley happy facial expression.  It is  dangerous if left untreated.

Warning signs!

Depressed teenagers tend to hide their pain. Behind a smiles and a happy disposition.  Happy kids are often overlook and  at times treatment never happens. These kids are just functioning. No cause for alarm you may say. They are popular happy and funny. Parents won’t see that behind close door they are struggling to keep it together.

Signs

What warning signs are visible in teens?

• Changes in eating patterns.
• Anger and irritability.
• Insomnia, sleepy.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Withdrawal from social activities.
• Lack of concentration and focus.

Diagnosis the warning signs.

 A diagnosis will not be the same for everyone. Factors that MD’S take in to consideration includes:

• Gender
• Age
• Family history
• Medical history
• Treatments and response to treatments.

Medication and therapy

Prescriptions normally used for treating these conditions. Come from a class of drugs known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Here are just a few medication being used.

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

Therapy that work for many patients is different for everyone.

• Psychotherapy:  Help  teens with coping skills.
• Interpersonal therapy:  This therapy is to learn ways of developing beneficial relationships.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Dealing with negative thoughts about ourself and the environment is look at  order to treat depression.

What to do if you suspect your teen is struggling with depression.

• Listen and support your child.
• let family physician know.
• Don’t blame yourself.

If you feel something is not right. Get a second opinion. Do not brush it off. Getting help can ultimately save your youth life. Be patient.  Understand that you will feel overwhelmed sometimes too.