Young Adult and Teen Depression Treatment

Adolescence is an emotional rollercoaster for many. During this turbulent period of life, teens and young adults may experience elevated emotions and dramatic mood shifts. But that doesn’t mean persistent, intense negative feelings should be accepted as par for the course.

Young adult and teen depression treatment at Paradigm is intended to support the needs of adolescents struggling with depression – a mood disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, detachment from relationships, irritability, and other worrying symptoms.

Learn more about our adolescent residential treatment centers for depression in California and Texas, and find out why a professional depression treatment program can make all the difference when it comes to your child’s health and well-being.

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UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL YOUNG ADULT & TEEN DEPRESSION TREATMENT

Depression is all too common in teens and young adults. In fact, one in five teenagers report symptoms of depression, and those rates are even higher among young adults.

In cases where depressive symptoms are interfering with everyday life, residential depression rehab for teens and young adults can serve as a vital lifeline. These programs provide evidence-based therapies in a home-like setting, with oversight from mental health professionals who are experts in depression and other mood disorders, as well as other mental health conditions like personality disorders and substance use disorder.

Without treatment, depression can wreak havoc on a young person’s mental and physical health. It can lead to a decrease in quality of life, withdrawal from relationships, and problems at home, school, and work. In severe cases, it may even lead to self-harm or suicidality.

Paradigm Texas and California depression treatment centers are specially geared toward young people who are struggling with the effects of depression and other mental health disorders. We hope to provide a beacon of hope for the families who seek help through our mental health treatment services and offer comprehensive residential programming in an environment well-suited to healing and recovery.

THE MOST COMMON SIGNS OF DEPRESSION IN YOUNG PEOPLE

Before seeking out young adult or teen depression treatment, it helps to know exactly what you’re up against. Being able to recognize the warning signs of depression in young people is an important first step and can let you know if professional support is warranted.

The behavioral and physical symptoms of depression can include:

Changes in sleeping patterns and sleeping habits
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emotional numbness
Frequent or extreme experiences of self-doubt, self-hatred, worthlessness, low self-esteem, or guilt
Increased irritability or frustration, even in the face of seemingly minor annoyances
A lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities or socialization with friends and family members
Decreases in energy, which may be tied to sleep issues like insomnia or oversleeping
Cognitive effects like slowed thinking, “brain fog,” or difficulties concentrating on tasks or making decisions
Weight gain from overeating or a lack of activity, or weight loss from stress
Thoughts or attempts at self-harm or suicidal ideation
A general inability to experience pleasure, known as anhedonia
Uncharacteristic or abrupt changes in behavior (i.e. a teen suddenly acting out when it is out of step with their personality)

In some cases, severe teen depression can produce an imminent threat, leading to teen suicide. If your teen or young adult child is suffering from severe depression symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional immediately.

Forms of Young Adult and Teen Depression

Most instances of the term “depression” refer to major depressive disorder, characterized by severe and persistent low mood and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities. There are, however, numerous types of major depression. They vary in their causes, severity, symptoms, and appropriate treatment approaches.

Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, can have fewer or less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder, but the symptoms typically last longer. Often, dysthymia lasts for more than a year.
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that tends to worsen at a particular time of year.
Bipolar disorder is not considered a depressive disorder. It does, however, involve severe mood changes where depressive episodes alternate with manic periods of increased energy and potentially risky behavior.

Knowing how to differentiate between these types of depression can help parents understand the causes and possible interventions for their child’s struggles, as well as figure out whether a depression center for young adults or teens could be a helpful response.

What Causes Depression in Teens and Young Adults?

Depression in teens and young adults can stem from a variety of sources. A partial list includes hormonal changes, imbalances or abnormalities in brain chemistry, and traumatic or highly stressful life experiences. Certain conditions also increase the risk of developing depression, including:

A family history of depression
A high level of stress
The presence of other mental health conditions, like anxiety or a personality disorder
Having a learning disability or ADHD
Personality traits such as being highly self-conscious, self-critical, or having a tendency towards rumination

Teens and young adults suffering from depression will likely exhibit some obvious changes in behavior. But they may also attempt to hold their feelings inside and maintain a facade of normality. Many teens might be hesitant to ask for help.

Common Barriers to Young Adult and Teen Depression Treatment

Many teenagers with depressive feelings are hesitant to ask for help from others or to consider professional treatment. They may hesitate out of fear of judgment or being misunderstood. Teens who suffer from adolescent depression may also feel that mental health issues mark them as abnormal, weak, ill-adjusted, or “crazy.” Young people sometimes interpret their feelings as isolated incidents, minimize their experiences, or simply justify them as normal feelings for their age.

Encouraging Your Teen

Maintaining regular communication with your child is the best way to ensure their emotional health and stay on top of changes that may signal a problem. If you’ve noticed signs of depression in your teenager, ask how they have been feeling and gently bring up signs or behaviors that concern you. Try not to lead with accusations or bombard your teenager with too many questions at once. Instead, it’s best to prompt a discussion, listen, and offer support.

When discussing the possibility of professional treatment for your teen or young adult’s depression, listen to your child’s concerns and questions and be ready to address them with an open mind. Emphasize that the goal of professional young adult and teenage depression treatment is to help them cope with their feelings and give them the tools to solve underlying problems.

Teens and young adults may resist the idea of treatment because they fear medication or the stigma surrounding it. Try to be respectful of these concerns while encouraging compromise and positive first steps toward professional help.

Effective Treatment Approaches for Teen and Young Adult Depression

Depression rehab for teens 12-17 and young adults 18-26 can take a variety of forms depending on the individual’s experience of depression, its causes and severity, and their preferences. The first step of treatment, regardless of the specific path one chooses, is consultation with a healthcare provider or mental health professional. From there, parents and their teens or young adults can consider a variety of therapeutic, medication-based, and lifestyle modification options.

Therapy-Based Treatment Approaches

When it comes to treating depression, there are many effective therapeutic options. These usually involve talk-based sessions with a licensed therapist who specializes in therapeutic approaches. Therapy for depression in young adults and teenagers can be immensely helpful.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common talk-therapy-based treatment modalities for depression. It helps individuals identify limiting thoughts and beliefs and replace them with more affirming, accurate, and helpful ones over time.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is focused on mindfulness of emotional processes. The goal is to achieve a balance between the acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings on the one hand and one’s ability to make positive changes on the other hand.
Interpersonal Therapy is a therapeutic approach based on examining and working on relationships in one’s life. Teens and young adults learn positive and healthy ways to interact with peers, family, and others, which help them identify healthy boundaries and positively cope with difficult situations, like transitions in relationships and grief.

Other therapeutic approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions can also be effective at treating depression in young people.

Medication-Based Treatment

Medication can help address the chemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to depression. Many medications exist to combat depression, each with its own mechanisms and potentially serious side effects to consider.

Antidepressant medications can be profoundly helpful for individuals struggling with moderate to severe cases of depression. However, they also carry a risk of serious side effects, including the possibility of increasing suicidal ideation and aggression in teens.

Careful monitoring with any new medication is highly recommended. Medication for depression can be a vital part of a treatment plan, but it is not a decision to make without consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are another way to treat depression but are likely not enough alone to combat severe depressive symptoms. However, they can certainly aid your teenager or young adult’s physical and mental health in other ways.

Exercise, meditation, or healthy eating practices are common lifestyle changes that can help a person feel physically better and cope more healthily with the difficult feelings associated with depression. Some of these practices, like exercise, have also been shown to aid in reducing depressive symptoms. Positive lifestyle changes can be incredibly helpful when combined with other treatment strategies.

Experiential Treatment for Depression

Experiential treatment for depression may include modalities such as art therapy, music therapy, or animal-assisted therapy. These kinds of treatment approaches can help teens and young adults develop confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills while aiding in the reduction of depressive symptoms.

Experiential therapies are generally not used in isolation. Rather, they are introduced as part of a holistic treatment approach that helps teens or young adults with depression develop new skills and insights that enrich and carry over into their other treatment-related work and their lives as a whole.

Paradigm Residential Depression Center for Young Adults and Teens

Residential treatment can be highly effective for teenagers and young adults with depression, especially when the home environment is associated with difficult memories, negative influences, or distractions that disrupt the recovery process. At our Texas and California facilities, we provide specialized care for teens (12-17) and young adults (18-26) in a supportive, social setting designed to foster interpersonal connections and personal growth.

Our intensive program offers daily individual therapy and group therapy sessions, helping clients build relationships with their peers and enabling healing and growth. We also involve parents and other family members through weekly family therapy sessions and ongoing resources, ensuring a comprehensive support system.

We focus on individualized care, maintaining a small client base to ensure a high staff-to-client ratio. This allows us to understand the unique underlying causes of each client’s depression or other mental health challenges and develop tailored treatment plans. Our holistic approach includes a range of evidence-based modalities to address all areas of health, helping clients overcome their challenges and transform their lives.

Additionally, our Psycho-Educational Services provide clients with valuable information about mental health disorders, substance abuse, and our treatment approaches. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive treatment for depression and other mental health and psychiatric disorders. Our team is ready to assist you and your family today.

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For more information on Paradigm’s treatment approach, or if you’d like to begin working with us to help your child address their depression or other mental health issues, please contact us via the website or call us directly at (855) 921-4973.

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Lucy Nguyen, LMFT( Clinical Reviewer )

Lucy Nguyen is the Executive Director at Paradigm Treatment, overseeing all clinical treatment programs across the organization’s southwestern region. Her extensive experience includes working with young adults in private practice, serving as a therapist for children and teens with emotional and behavioral needs, and acting as a behavior interventionist for teens with developmental disorders. Lucy integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches with mindfulness and compassion in her work, and she is also EMDR-trained. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.