Teen Depression

By all accounts teen depression has risen in the last decade and the statistics are unbelievable. Reports show 20% of teens will experience depression before they are adults and 5% of teens will experience major depression. I know this subject, my son Eric was diagnosed with depression 4 months ago and has since went through intensive therapy and is now on medication. Before this he struggled with school and life in general. Actually struggled is a mild word. Eric failed school completely last year, not one grade above a D. Between school and the fact he started to run away I knew i had to do something. Thank goodness I did because I can say he has had a complete turn around. This year so far in school he has all A's and B's and is doing much better at home. Below are a list of signs that could suggest your child has depression and a lot of other useful information parents can find. I only wish I had this when he was struggling a year ago.

Signs of Teen Depression

Suicidal thoughts

Sleeping habits change

Crying often

Anger/Hostility

Agitation

No motivation

Cannot concentrate

Feeling of guilt or that they are not worth anything

Tired all the time

Sadness

Withdrawing from family and friends

Untreated depression in teens can lead to school problems, drug usage, violence, low self-esteem, eating disorders, running away from home, self-injury and suicide. If you think your teen may be battling depression or your teen has some of the signs above please contact a specialist or your family doctor. Not doing anything will only prolong the effects. Below are some links to help as well phone numbers.

http://parentingteens.about.com/library/sp/quiz/depression/blteen_depression_quiz.htm

Depression in Boys:

http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030806-000005.html

Depression in Girls:

http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030806-000003.html

http://www.boystown.org/hotline/

http://suicidehotlines.com/national.html

Self Mutilation: Warning Signs, Risk Factors and how to help teens cope.

These days self mutilation or "cutting" is prevalent in teenagers trying to cope with negative areas in their lives. It is difficult to see "warning signs" as teens often do it secretly and in places people wouldn't neccasarily see. I've tried to condense a lot of the information I have researched about this below so parents can be aware of the warnings signs their teen may be harming themselves, risk factors of teens who are prone to this behavior and coping skills to help them through it. Self harming oneself is often thought of as "cutting" but teens also harm themselves in other ways such as overdosing, poisoning and burning themselves. Also below I have included some different websites and such that can help if you know of a teen who is deliberately hurting themselves.

Teens at risk of "self harming":

* A teen who is being bullied.

* Depression

* Drug use in the family, alcohol or drugs.

* Parental neglect in the family.

* Physical, mental or sexual abuse.

* A mental illness.

Warning Signs your teen may be "self harming":

* Changes in sleeping habits.

* No interest in their favorite activities.

* They carry around drug or medical supplies.

* They always wear heavy clothing, long sleeves and pants even in the summer months.

* Behavior changes, mood changes.

* Cuts or bruises that cannot be explained.

* Keeping things hidden from their family, a specific area they keep locked.

* Withdrawn or changes in communication.

* Eating habits change.

* Carrying on them matches, lighters or knifes (sharp items)

Coping skills for teens who "self injure":

* Get them involved in church or youth groups.

* take a hot bath to relax.

* encourage them to listen to music.

* Yoga

* encourage them to let out their feelings, cry, scream.

* take up a hobby.

* journal

* encourage them to punch a bed or pillow instead of "self harm".

* take deep breaths

* encourage them to break the objects they use to harm themselves as a way of regaining control.

* try cooking

* draw, this can be very useful. Have them draw what or who makes them angry.

* take a walk.

* call someone they trust and can talk to: a friend, crisis line or counselor.

http://www.selfinjury.org/indexnet.html

http://self-injury.net/

National Youth Crisis Hot line: 1-800-448-4663

Self-Injury Hot line SAFE (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Alternatives Program: www.selfinjury.com1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)

Teen Helpline: 1-800-400-0900

Interesting link to a study regarding Teens and protection!

Below is a link to a very interesting article regarding teens and a study that was just released about them not wanting to use protection for various reasons. Very interesting articles and an eye opener to those of us who are parents of teens. In a way it gives us insight into our childrens minds and what they are thinking. Now more than ever we should be really talking to our teens on a daily basis about sex and the decisions they make now could effect the rest of their lives.

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-21133.html

Good parenting tips!!!

I know a lot of parents outs their question whether they are a good parent or not. If judging by what your teens say is correct then you probably have a low opinion of your parenting skills. Keep in mind teens lash out and what better why then to tell you they hate you or you are a horrible parent, but it doesn't mean you are. Below are some tips on how to be a better parent. If you all ready practise them GREAT! But hey we can all use help and especially when we are raising teens!

1. Be consistent.... If you are not consistent them then they know they can get away with anything and nothing will be done.

2. It is hard to spend time with your teen, trust me I know this but it is important. Teenagers do not want to hang with their parents, it's not you it's just a fact but make sure you do spend time with them. Do something they are into, read together, take a walk or even cleaning the house. Spending a little time with them opens up conversation time for them with you.

3. Do not ever criticize the teen for his or her mistakes. Emphasis you do not like the behavior but don't ever say you don't like them. Even if it is in anger teens take this to heart.

4. Have rules and expect them to follow them. Keep your teen on a schedule. Include them if you make changes to the schedule.

5. Tell them as much as possible how proud you are of them. Even if it is just how the cleaned up well or did their homework. Not only does it show you care but it boosts their self-esteem.

6. Show your love.... With teens this is especially difficult as they are to "cool" to hug or kiss their parents. Sneak the hugs and kisses in. They may act like they hate it but it does show them you love them.

7. Listen when they talk. Not much else can be said but to listen and don't interrupt. Listening to your teen will go a long way when they have something very serious they need to speak to you about. They know you can be trusted to listen.

Keeping your Teens safe surfing the web...

Surfing the web has become the #1 activity for teenagers these days. In a day and age where MySpace, Facebook and Digg are the teens top priority keeping them safe from predators has become increasingly difficult. Now predators are not people we can see. They have the ability to speak to our children and in most cases we do not even know. I know many parents who say "I trust my child when they are on the computer". Predators have the uncanny ability to gain the child's trust. Just because your child is trustworthy does NOT mean someone cannot get them to do something they shouldn't do. I would rather be safe then sorry wouldn't you? Below is a list of things you can do as parents to keep your children safe.

1. Your computer should be a in common area. Children should never have their own computer in their room. Put it in the living where you or your spouse can monitor the usage.

2. If your child is acting sneaky or anytime you walk by they are minimizing the screen chances are they are hiding something. Don't hesitate to get on and find out what they are up to.

3. Know who your teens are talking to. Monitor their instant messaging and who is emailing your children.

4. If your child has MySpace (you may not even know they do) be sure to check it. Only allow actual "friends they know" on their page. Encourage them to NOT add people they do not know on their page. Keep their user name and password handy so you can get on to check. Eric knows part of letting him have a MySpace page is that I always have the user name and password. Create a MySpace page yourself so you can monitor your child from that as well.

5. Get a firewall that can prevent them from going on sites that they shouldn't.

6. Find out if your Internet provider has parental locks and use them age appropriately.

7. Take a class if you are not up to date on computer workings to find out how to check the history of the computer. On every computer you can check to see what sites have been visited even if your teen is smart enough to delete them.

8. Do not allow your child to be on the computer when you are gone or sleeping.

9. Talk to you children about what information they can and cannot give out. Children do not understand how little of information a predator needs to find a child. Encourage them to not give out where they live, their school or their last name.

10. Encourage your teen to come to you if something that someone from online says makes them uncomfortable or doesn't seem right..

11. Strongly encourage them to NEVER meet anyone they do not know off the web.