A Guide to Atypical Depression Some teenagers glide through adolescence swiftly without much turmoil. However, for other teens, puberty brings with it its own set of disturbances and grievances which, sometimes, they do not outgrow. Teenagers often attribute these disturbances in their life to other things around them and project it onto their family, peers, school or college friends etc. It is important for parents to remember that blaming your teenager for their behaviour is only going to make their problem go from bad to worse. We are here to help parents of troubled teenagers decipher and understand their teens’ behaviour and teach them how they can work around it. First, it is important to spot the obvious signs that your teenager may need urgent help or therapy and may need to see a therapist for teens. These signs in your teenager indicate that they are suffering from developmental or atypical depression and are red flags that demand immediate attention. Substance Abuse - Experimenting with alcohol and drugs is very common amongst teenagers during their adolescence. However, if you notice that your teenager is drunk or high most of the time then a very serious problem and addiction is underway. Teenagers who suffer from atypical depression are more likely to develop a substance abuse problem. We recommend consulting a therapist for teens Mumbai as soon as your teenagers’ symptoms are frequent and overboard. Self-Harm - If your teen indulges in cutting, hitting or hurting themselves in any way, big or small, it is a sign of unbearable emotional stress and mental imbalance. Self-harm, if not attended to, can become a destructive habit and escalates over time. Suicide Attempts - It goes without saying that a parent will take suicide threats and suicide attempts very seriously. There’s a very fine line between your teenager being dramatic and going forward with harming themselves. With suicide rates on the rise, don’t wait to bring this to a professional’s notice and consult a therapist for teens in Mumbai. If you don’t already know what atypical depression means, here’s a guide to help you. When a teenager suffers from developmental depression and certain conditions create a more serious emotional instability, then this results in atypical depression. Atypical depression can be characterized by increased levels of emotional distress and is most often triggered by emotionally disturbing and disruptive events such as: • • • • •
Severe/chronic illnesses or injuries Learning disabilities Traumatic events Social anxiety or rejection Family conflicts http://www.tanuchoksi.in/
• Sudden death of a loved one • Financial turbulence/hardships • Constant residential/school changes Atypical depression is overwhelming, crushing and overpowering for any teenager. Teenagers may experience unwelcome feelings of hopelessness, rage, frustration, annoyance and negativity. Characteristics of atypical depression: • Predominant depression/irritation • Loss of interest in everyday activities • Isolation • Panic attacks • Fatigue, insomnia, hypersomnia • Helplessness, indecisiveness • Mood swings • Suicidal thoughts What should you do if your teenager suffers from atypical depression? Asking a professional for help is not a sign of weakness. Instead, if left untreated, this condition can negatively affect your child’s development. The worst thing you can do as a parent is ignoring your child’s symptoms, brushing them off as unimportant or insignificant or ignoring the illness altogether thinking that it will “go away”. Even in a case of uncertainty, consulting a therapist for teens is important to gain a clear insight into your child’s condition.
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