Sep 14, 2019
In this episode, Dr. John addresses the growing problem of teen
depression, which is being exasperated by the prevalence of and
exposure to pornography. Dr. John will help parents identify if
their teen could be suffering from depression.
// DID YOU KNOW?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH), 13.3% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had “at least one
major depressive episode” in 2017. That equates to 3.2 million
American teens. What’s more, 70.77% of depression sufferers
experienced at least one instance of “severe impairment” that
interfered with life.
Here are some other relevant statistics:
- 20% of females and 6.8% of males aged 12-17 suffered a
depressive episode in 2017
- 9% of adolescents “reporting two or more races” suffered a
depressive episode in 2017; this represents the highest
subgroup of adolescents affected by depression, according to the
NIMH
- 1% of depressed adolescents received no treatment; 19.6%
received treatment from a health professional; 2.4% were treated
with medication alone; 17.6% received treatment from both a health
professional and medication (NIMH)
- Based on the 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors
Survey,4 percent of youth in grades 9-12 reported that they had
made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months
//WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression.
- You can beat depression with willpower.
- If you are depressed, you’re just feeling sorry for
yourself.
- Depressed believers have weak faith.
- It’s easy to tell when you are depressed.
- Depression is a waste of time.
A more clinical definition and description of
depression from Dr. John. While depression is common, is
it also very complex. It is a state of existence marked by being
pressed down, weighed down, or burdened which affects a person
physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
There are four basic types of depression: (1) Biological, (2)
Situational, (3) Spiritual, and (4), Developmental
Some common signs or symptoms that a person might be
depressed.
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Irritability
- Headaches, aches, indigestion, etc.
- Difficulty with concentration
- Loss of interest in food or compulsive eating
- Sadness, anxiety, or feeling hopeless
- Sudden drop in grades
- Loss of interest in things once enjoyed
- Use of alcohol or drugs or promiscuous behavior
- Withdrawal from friends
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Suicidal ideation
- Of course, see a therapist or doctor to get a definite
diagnosis!
Do Real Christians get depressed? Are there possible
examples of people suffering from depression in the Bible? Can our
faith play an important part in helping our teens deal with
depression, and how?
The answer is “yes,” and as the church, we must rid ourselves of
the stigma of depression. Dr. John talks about these examples from
the Scriptures:
- Elijah
- King David
- Jeremiah, the weeping Prophet
What can you do if you think your teen is struggling
with depression? Dr. John discusses three of these points
in the podcast, but here’s a more thorough list.
- Focus on listening, not lecturing. Resist
any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to
talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating.
You’ll do the most good by simply letting your teen know that
you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally.
- Be gentle but persistent. Don’t give up
if they shut you out at first. Talking about depression can be very
tough for teens. Even if they want to, they may have a hard time
expressing what they’re feeling. Be respectful of your child’s
comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness
to listen.
- Acknowledge their feelings. Don’t try to
talk your teen out of depression, even if their feelings or
concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Well-meaning attempts
to explain why “things aren’t that bad” will just come across as if
you don’t take their emotions seriously. Simply acknowledging the
pain and sadness they are experiencing can go a long way in making
them feel understood and supported.
- Trust your gut. If your teen claims nothing is
wrong but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed
behavior, you should trust your instincts. If your teen won’t open
up to you, consider turning to a trusted third party: a school
counselor, favorite teacher, or a mental health professional. The
important thing is to get them talking to someone.
- Encourage social connection. Depressed teens
tend to withdraw from their friends and the activities they used to
enjoy. But isolation only makes depression worse, so do what you
can to help your teen reconnect.
- Make face time a priority. Set aside time each
day to talk—time when you’re focused totally on your teen, without
distractions or trying to multi-task. The simple act of connecting
face to face can play a big role in reducing your teen’s
depression. And remember: talking about depression or your teen’s
feelings will not make the situation worse, but your support can
make all the difference in their recovery.
- Combat social isolation. Do what you can to
keep your teen connected to others. Encourage them to go out with
friends or invite friends over. Participate in activities that
involve other families and give your child an opportunity to meet
and connect with other kids.
- Get your teen involved. Suggest
activities—such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art, dance, or
music class—that take advantage of your teen’s interests and
talents. While your teen may lack motivation and interest at first,
as they reengage with the world, they should start to feel better
and regain their enthusiasm.
- Promote volunteerism.
Doing things for others is a powerful antidepressant and
self-esteem booster. Help your teen find a cause they’re interested
in and that gives them a sense of purpose. If you volunteer with
them, it can also be a good bonding experience.
- Make physical health a priority. Physical and
mental health are inextricably connected. Depression is exacerbated
by inactivity, inadequate sleep, and poor nutrition. Unfortunately,
teens are known for their unhealthy habits: staying up late, eating
junk food, and spending hours on their phones and devices. But as a
parent, you can combat these behaviors by establishing a healthy,
supportive home environment.
- Get your teen moving!
Exercise is absolutely essential to mental health, so get your
teen active—whatever it takes. Ideally, teens should be getting at
least an hour of physical activity a day, but it needn’t be boring
or miserable. Think outside the box: walking the dog, dancing,
shooting hoops, going for a hike, riding bikes, skateboarding—as
long as they’re moving, it’s beneficial.
- Set limits on screen time. Teens often go
online to escape their problems, but when screen time goes up,
physical activity and face time with friends goes down. Both are a
recipe for worsening symptoms.
- Provide nutritious, balanced meals. Make sure
your teen is getting the nutrition they need for optimum brain
health and mood support: things like healthy
fats, quality
protein, and fresh produce. Eating a lot of sugary,
starchy foods—the quick “pick me up” of many depressed
teens—will only have a negative effect on their mood and
energy.
- Encourage plenty of sleep.
Teens need more sleep than adults to function optimally—up
to 9-10 hours per night. Make sure your teen isn’t staying up until
all hours at the expense of much-needed, mood-supporting rest.
- Know when to seek professional help. Support
and healthy lifestyle changes can make a world of difference for
depressed teens, but it’s not always enough. When depression is
severe, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a mental
health professional with advanced training and a strong background
treating teens.
//CALL TO ACTION
Is there something that parents can do to prevent depression?
Dr. John says there are several things parents can do of a
preventative nature.
- First, provide continual warmth, caring, and
support. A 2016 study shows that high levels of parental
support had lower depression symptoms. Peer supports did not really
make a difference.
- Second, teach and model strong social and emotional
skills. Teens are prone to depression due to heightened
emotions during the teen years.
- Encourage positive peer relations. Positive
relationships and being in a romantic relationship were protective
against developing social anxiety and depression.
- Encourage teens to seek purpose in life. It is
associated with greater life satisfaction and hope in all age
groups.