Teen depression treatment

When to call

Signs of depression in a teenager

Parents often notice these symptoms of depression first, but none of them is a diagnosis on its own.

• 01

  You call, or send the form

  You tell admissions what is happening and whether you think your teen's depression might fit.

• 02

  We check your benefits

  With your permission, we contact your insurer and find out what your plan covers.

• 03

  You hear what it means

  Admissions explains your deductible, your copay and which level of care your plan supports, in plain terms.

• 04

  You decide

  If you want to go ahead, admissions walks you through what happens next.

• My 13-year-old seems depressed. What should I do?

  If your teen is safe, call admissions and book an assessment, and you can be in the room for it. If your teen is not safe, call 988 right away. You do not need to know exactly what to say before you call.

• How do I talk to my teen about it?

  Tell your teen what you have noticed in one or two sentences, and say that you want them to have an assessment. Keep it short instead of giving a lecture, and offer to go with them.

• What is the difference between normal teen moodiness and depression?

  Moodiness comes and goes with events and usually lifts when things go well. Teenage depression stays for weeks, spreads into school, sleep and friendships, and does not lift with good news.

• What causes teen depression?

  There is usually no single cause. Stress, family history, bullying, trauma and other mental health conditions can all play a part, and the assessment looks at the underlying causes in your teen's life.

• What is major depressive disorder in adolescents?

  Major depressive disorder is the clinical name for depression that lasts for weeks and affects mood, sleep, school and relationships. It is a mental illness, and adolescent depression is diagnosed by a clinician, not from a checklist.

• What are the symptoms of major depressive disorder?

  Depressive symptoms include sadness or irritability most days, a loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, and trouble concentrating. Some teens also feel worthless or have suicidal ideation, which means thoughts about death or suicide.

• What are the main evidence-based treatments for teen depression?

  Talk therapies such as CBT and family therapy are the main treatment options, and some teens also take medication a prescriber recommends. At Enhance, your teen's treatment plan can include CBT, DBT and family sessions.

• How does family therapy help a teenager with depression?

  It helps parents understand teenage depression and change the patterns at home that make it harder. It also gives your teen a guided place to tell you what is hard, with a therapist in the room.

• Should antidepressants be part of my teen's depression treatment?

  That is a decision for a prescriber who has assessed your teen, and you take part in it. The FDA requires a warning about suicidal thoughts on antidepressants for young people, so any prescriber should explain it and check in closely.

• What is the difference between outpatient, IOP and PHP for teens?

  Outpatient care means regular therapy sessions, while intensive outpatient (IOP) takes a few hours a day, several days a week. Partial hospitalization (PHP) fills most of the day, and admissions will tell you which level your teen needs.

• When is outpatient care not enough?

  Outpatient care may not be enough if your teen cannot stay safe at home, has stopped going to school, or keeps getting worse. Admissions will then talk with you about a more intensive level, such as residential treatment, and help you plan the next step.

• What should I do if my teen talks about suicide?

  Take it seriously, stay with your teen, and call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. Suicidal ideation is a reason to get help today, even if your teen says they did not mean it.

• Can my teen get depression treatment without missing school?

  Often, yes. Enhance offers after-school programs and virtual sessions, so many teens with depression keep going to class during treatment.

• What should I ask a teen depression treatment center?

  Ask who leads the therapy, how parents take part, which levels of care the treatment center offers, and how it checks your insurance. A good program answers those questions plainly and does not promise results.

• How does insurance verification work for teen depression treatment?

  With your permission, admissions contacts your insurer and explains your deductible, your copay and which level of care your plan supports. Benefits vary by plan, and checking them does not guarantee coverage.

• What can parents do at home to support treatment?

  Keep sleep and meals regular, notice small efforts, and plan time together that asks little of your teen. Lock away medicines and anything dangerous, and tell the therapist about any change that worries you. Recovery is usually gradual, so small steps forward still count.