Mood disorders, including depression, are among the most common mental health conditions affecting teenagers. Clinical depression is estimated to occur in 3.5% of teens ages 15 to 19.
These teens experience more than the occasional bouts of sadness; they have sustained feelings that impede everyday routines. Teen depression treatment helps them identify their emotions and regulate their responses in order to enjoy a higher quality of life.
Signs That Teens Need Depression Treatment
Teen depression is a potentially serious mental health condition that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a teen thinks and behaves and can negatively impact school, family, and social functioning. In addition to feelings of sadness, signs of teenage depression include:
- Feelings of irritability or anger
- Fatigue and excessive sleepiness
- Difficulty with concentration and memory
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Isolation from friends and family
- Greater impulsivity and engagement in high-risk activities
- Suicidal ideation or attempts
Depression-related diagnoses in teens include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or seasonal affective disorder. Depression is also a feature of other conditions like bipolar disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
The Link Between Teenage Depression And Substance Use
Depression causes teens to be more susceptible to high-risk activities such as substance use. Adolescents who have experienced a major depressive episode are twice as likely to misuse prescription medication, use tobacco daily, or participate in binge drinking.
Teens may turn to these substances in an attempt to escape their feelings or lift their mood. However, the numbing effect of substances can make depression worse over time. Substance use and depression begin to feed into each other in a destructive cycle that perpetuates a teen’s symptoms.
Treatment Options for Teen Depression
Inpatient treatment for teenage depression, in a hospital-like setting, is intended to stabilize teens facing acute crises, offering greater support than residential or outpatient care are designed to provide. Residential treatment, like that offered at Muir Wood, is ideal for teens who are stable but still need a high level of support, including those with suicidal thoughts, substance use disorders, or other mental health challenges. Learn more about residential treatment options.
At Muir Wood, our expert clinical team offers compassionate, individualized care in a structured home-like environment. Our mental health treatment programs are tailored to each teen’s needs, with separate campuses for teen boys and teen girls. During their treatment stay, teens will participate in:
- Individual Therapy: Teens work one-on-one with a therapist using modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. This provides teens with a foundation of coping skills.
- Family Therapy: Teens build trust and mutual understanding through virtual sessions with family members, strengthening the entire family system.
- Group Therapy: Peer interaction facilitates shared healing experiences where teens learn from one another. It also helps teens build social skills for healthy interpersonal dynamics.
- Experiential Activities: We integrate activities such as art, music, fitness, yoga, meditation, and physical fitness into the treatment schedule. This promotes physical health and healthy emotional expression.
- Academic Support: Teens attend the on-campus Muir Wood Learning Center 15 hours per week. This enables them to maintain continuity with their home school, ensuring that they do not fall behind while in treatment.
Start the Healing Process with Muir Wood Today
Take the first step toward recovery with Muir Wood. Complete an assessment form or contact us today by calling 866-705-0828.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Depression in Teens Differ from Depression in Adults?
Mood swings are a natural part of teenage development, which can make depression more difficult to identify in teens. Teens also face unique challenges that contribute to depression, such as peer dynamics, social media, and academic pressure. When left undiagnosed and untreated, teen depression can worsen and lead to more serious issues including substance use, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
How Long Does Treatment for Teen Depression Last?
Treatment duration depends on each individual teen’s situation and unique needs. An average length of stay at Muir Wood is about 45 days.
Does Muir Wood Treat Co-Occurring Disorders?
Yes, Muir Wood treats co-occurring disorders. Depression is treated alongside other mental health conditions such as anxiety and trauma. Muir Wood’s dual-diagnosis treatment program addresses both mental health and substance use disorders concurrently.