Teen Depression Myth #2
MYTH #2 From Kate McLaughlin, author of Mommy, I'm Still Here: One Family's Journey through Bipolar Disorder:
Adolescent depression looks like adult depression. NOT TRUE!
Teenage depression is not a youthful, more energetic version of adult depression.
Because we are more familiar with the symptoms of adult depression, we expect teen symptoms to be the same.
They are not!
Teen depression usually manifests itself as an irritable, oppositional mood, or a lack of affect.
Many depressed teens say they feel nothing.
They are without emotion.
Nothing matters.
If tearful sadness is missing, it can be difficult to detect depression in teens.
It is important to KNOW YOUR CHILD.
Have frequent, open conversations, attend or participate in activities that interest them, and spend regular one-on-one time together so that if depression strikes, you'll be able to detect the differencesit makes in your individual child.
Go to Kate McLaughlin for more helpful information.
Read Myth #1 here.
