Teen Depression - The Secret Life of a Depressed Teenager

Are you a parent of a Depressed Teenager? Does it really sadden you to see them like this? Are you thinking of taking them to therapy? What if I could help by sharing some insight and secrets into being the saving grace for your teenager? Teenage depression is the symptom of some deeper issues; it sprouts out of the insecurities and pressures that are going on within the adolescent's mind. Depression itself is just a warning sign to you the parent, letting you know that there are things that need to be addressed and corrected at the root cause.

Think of a vehicle that over heats, when the pressure from the heat is too high, a light will turn on warning the driver that there is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.
In order to keep the vehicle running and functioning properly, the driver must now go under the hood to either add more water, antifreeze or replace the thermostat.

It's no secret that teenagers are under a tremendous amount of pressure in this rapidly growing world of technology and pop culture; teens worry about many things like their future, getting a job, making their parents proud, getting a good education, who they want to be in the world and the responsibilities that come along with adulthood.
Some may have deeper issues that they are dealing with like sexual abuse, divorce, self-criticism, emotional sibling rivalry or loss in relationships.

This is no doubt a critical time for them where they are faced with making some difficult decisions, not to mention that they are at a point in their life when they feel powerless and seriously doubt themselves.

This combination of pressure and low self-esteem is what makes the teen years so difficult to endure and is one of the underlying factors of the depression that teens are experiencing today.
As a parent, it is important for you to know that they are depressed because of all the pressure and self-doubt that they are trying to deal with, and under the hood at the root cause of it all, is FEAR.
Have you ever been afraid? Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek their own reassurance when they're afraid, teenagers usually rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering, and offer the support that they are quietly and unconsciously yearning for. Teens do not yet know how to identify, acknowledge or express that they are afraid, so they bottle it up and suppress it.
Here is where you, the parent recognize that your teen is afraid and needs you to be their saving grace.
They need you to BE a lot of things for them in this difficult time, more than anything they need you to BE: · Vulnerable · Loving · Understanding · Compassionate This is the context in which will create trust, permission and the invitation for your teen to open up and share with you; you get to be the outlet for them to release the pressure and heaviness that is causing the depression.
It is important at this time to be non-judgmental but sympathetic to the process that which they are in; it might even help to share with them some of your own fears.
Be prepared that at first you may not have instant results, it may take several attempts to get them to trust you enough and feel safe enough to share. It most likely has been some time that you may have shown up to them like this.
If you can access all of these ways of being and commit to creating a new relationship where you each share your thoughts, fears and doubts with each other, I believe that you will slowly see the inner child come shining through as you remember them in all their greatness.