Teen Depression (Part 2)

How is depression treated?

Depression is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") is a term for treatment techniques that can help you identify and manage troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Psychotherapy can take place in a one-on-one meeting with you and a licensed mental health professional. Sometimes you might be part of a group guided by a mental health professional.

What medications treat depression?

If your doctor thinks you need medicine to treat your depression, he or she might prescribe an antidepressant.

When you are taking an antidepressant, it is important to carefully follow your doctor's directions for taking your medicine. The medication could take up to 6 weeks to work, and you should not stop taking it without the help of a doctor. You should also avoid using alcohol or drugs that have not been prescribed to you, so that your medications can work.

When it is time to stop the medication, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease the dose, so that your body can adjust. If you stop taking the medication too soon, your depression symptoms may return. Another reason to stop medication gradually is that stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability.

Antidepressants can have side effects. These side effects are usually mild (possible stomach upsets or headaches) and may go away on their own. Talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience, because your doctor might adjust the dose or change the medicine.

Although antidepressants can be effective, they may present serious risks to some, especially children and teens. Anyone taking antidepressants should be monitored closely, especially when they first start taking them. Severe anxiety or agitation early in treatment can be especially distressing and should be reported to the doctor immediately.

For many people, the risks of untreated depression outweigh the side effects of antidepressant medications when they are used under a doctor's careful supervision. Information about medications changes frequently. Talk to your doctor and visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.fda.gov/) for the latest safety information.

What else can I do to help manage my depression?

Be patient, and know that treatment takes time to work. In the meantime, you can try these ideas:

• Stay active and exercise, even if it's just going for a walk.
• Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
• Spend time with friends and family.
• Break down school or work tasks into smaller ones, and organize them in order of what needs to get done first. Then, do what you can.

What can I do if someone I know might have depression?

If you think your friend might have depression, first help him or her talk to a trusted adult who can connect your friend to a health professional. You can also try these tips:

• Be supportive, patient, and encouraging, even if you don't fully understand what's going on.
• Invite your friend to activities, social events, or just to hang out.
• Remind your friend that getting help is important and that with time and treatment, he or she will feel better.
• Never ignore comments about death and suicide, even if it seems like a joke or overdramatic. Talking about suicide is not just a bid for attention but should be taken seriously. Talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or older sibling as soon as you can.

What should I do if someone I know is considering suicide?

Often, family and friends are the first to recognize the warning signs of suicide and can take the first step toward helping the person find help.

Remember:

• If someone is telling you that he or she is going to kill himself or herself, do not leave him or her alone.
• Do not promise anyone that you will keep his or her suicidal thoughts a secret. Make sure to tell a trusted friend or family member, or an adult with whom you feel comfortable.
• Get help as soon as possible. Call 911 for emergency services, and/or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the toll-free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which is available 24 hours a day, every day. The service is available to everyone. All calls are free and confidential. You can also chat with the NSPL online (Link opens in a new windowhttps://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/).
• The Crisis Text Line is another free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text "HOME" to 741741, and a trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information via text message. Visit Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.crisistextline.org/.

What if someone is posting suicidal messages or something disturbing on social media?

If you see messages or live-streaming suicidal behavior on social media, call 911 immediately, contact the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Some social media sites also have a process to report suicidal content and get help for the person posting the message. Each offers different options on how to respond if you see concerning posts about suicide. Here are some of the most widely used sites:

• Facebook's Suicide Prevention web page can be found at Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.facebook.com/help/594991777257121/ (use the search term "suicide" or "suicide prevention").
• Instagram uses automated tools in the app to provide resources, which can also be found online at Link opens in a new windowhttps://help.instagram.com/ (use the search term "suicide," self-injury," or "suicide prevention").
• Snapchat's Support provides guidance at Link opens in a new windowhttps://support.snapchat.com/en-US (use the search term "suicide" or "suicide prevention").
• Tumblr's Counseling and Prevention Resources web page can be found at Link opens in a new windowhttps://tumblr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us (use the search term "counseling" or "prevention," then click on "Counseling and prevention resources").
• Twitter's approach to self-harm and suicide threats is at Link opens in a new windowhttps://help.twitter.com/ (use the search term "suicide," "self-harm," or "suicide prevention," or visit Link opens in a new windowhttps://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/self-harm-and-suicide).
• YouTube's Safety Center web page can be found at Link opens in a new windowhttps://support.google.com/youtube#topic=7505892 (use the search term "suicide and self-injury").

Because help via these processes may be delayed, it is still important to call 911 if someone is posting suicidal messages or something disturbing on social media. People—even strangers—have saved lives by being vigilant.

Related Resources

• Medline Plus (National Library of Medicine): Link opens in a new windowhttps://medlineplus.gov/teenhealth.html (En español: Link opens in a new windowhttps://medlineplus.gov/spanish/teenhealth.html)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for Teens, Drugs & Health: Link opens in a new windowhttps://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Link opens in a new windowhttps://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), free 24-hour help
• Anti-bullying website: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.stopbullying.gov/