Parenting Depression

Forming early bonds with your child is important. Don’t just give them attention when they cry or whine; it might make them think such behavior is necessary for attention. If your child is quietly reading or playing, talk to them, ask them how and what they are doing. Proactive parenting will keep your child from seeking ways to get your attention.

Negative people get depressed more easily. Teens with positive attitudes and high self-esteem aren’t as likely to be depressed. Learning to “accentuate the positive; eliminate the negative,” is helpful in controlling milder forms of depression.

So spend time with your teen. Take a note of the books they read, music they listen to, or poetry they write. Look for signs of depressing, “downer” themes around them. Talk to your teen if he or she exhibits negative behavior. Find out why.

If your teen talks about suicide, take the matter very seriously. First have a discussion and learn why they have these thoughts, then seek professional help. Psychiatrists and counselors let a teen know other people care about them, and they will involve you as a parent in exploring the reasons for your teen’s feelings as well as means of treatment.

Abuse of drugs or alcohol is an underlying sign of depression. Don’t assume your teen is just being a rebel. Proper discipline might still be needed, but you may have to seek professional help to know the root causes for your teen’s behavior.

As a final warning, have a one-on-one with your teen’s psychiatrist if he or she recommends prescription medication. Take note of the following advisory and do some research. Remember, you have the final say in whether your teen needs to be medicated. While these drugs can aid your teen, they also can cause serious side effects, including worsening depression and higher risk of suicide.

The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory to alert physicians of worsening depression and suicidality in patients using these prescription antidepressants.