Learn to recognize the warning signs of teen depression, understand why adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time, and discover effective treatment options to help your teenager find hope and healing.
Being a teenager is never easy, and these days, with disruptions in school and family routines due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, it's harder than ever. A certain amount of moodiness is normal – even inevitable – for most teens as they adjust to the challenges of adulthood.
Important: But if your teen seems too anxious, sad, or irritable, it's possible that they're dealing with serious depression and need mental health care support.
Depression is a real mental health issue in the lives of many teens, and treating depression is a key part of what it takes to prevent teen suicide.
At Nugent Family Counseling Center, our team of mental health counseling experts, led by Dr. Geoff Nugent, can help you, your teen, and your family understand more about your teen's mental health and care needs.
Come consult with our team at our locations in:
San Jose, CA
Los Gatos, CA
Reno, NV
If your teen does have depression, we can work with you to put together a personalized treatment plan that can effectively support your teenager and help them work through depression symptoms, finding calm, hope, and relief.
Depression affects your teenager's brain at a deep level, causing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes.
Watch out for signs and symptoms of depression in teens including:
Noticeable shifts from their normal patterns
Feelings of sadness, frustration, or anger that seem outsized compared to triggering events
Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
Increasing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
In the activities that usually matter to your teen
Disconnection from friends and social groups
Loss of energy, insomnia, or excessive sleeping
Trouble with concentration and decision-making
A sudden worsening of performance at school
If your child is struggling with symptoms like these, reach out to the team at Nugent Family Counseling Center for help you can trust.
If your child frequently mentions suicide or has a plan for killing themselves, seek care right away.
Emergency: You may need to call 911
Call 911 NowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
While depression can present a problem at any point in your life, the teenage years are a particularly intense and difficult time for mental health.
Why Teens Are Particularly Vulnerable:
At Nugent Family Counseling Center, we work with our patients to put together the right treatment plan for their depression.
Your teen may benefit from treatments and therapies including:
Cognitive-behavioral and dialectical-behavioral therapy approaches
Connect with peers facing similar challenges
Professional medication support when appropriate
Natural relaxation and wellness support
Advanced approach to retraining neural patterns
Innovative treatment for teen mental health
Alternative therapeutic approach
With the right support, your teen can weather the storms of teen depression and come into adulthood healthy and well-adjusted.
Contact the team at Nugent Family Counseling Center for the care and support that your teen needs
Teen depression is a serious mental health condition that requires professional support—it's more than just normal teenage moodiness. If you've noticed warning signs like changes in behavior, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, declining school performance, or expressions of hopelessness, it's time to get help. Our comprehensive treatment approach includes therapy (CBT, DBT), group support, medication management when appropriate, and innovative treatments like neurofeedback to help your teenager find relief and build a healthy future.