Does Your Child Need Therapy?
Some children grow up fairly trouble-free, but, for some, puberty hits hard.
The change into adolescence brings a hit of reality, which can cause Developmental Depression. This is where children are quite hurt and sadden by the fact they are growing up as they begin to understand the stresses of adult life. From now on, they’re facing the real world, and there's nothing you can do about it. For kids who struggle with change, this can be a very difficult time and puberty signals a brand new chapter into teenage life.
Symptoms and Signs
Mood instability.
Frequent and intense feelings of sadness.
Social anxiety.
Fatigue or insomnia.
Occasional suicidal thoughts without intent.
Children that have past experiences or current conditions that could worsen Development Depression (trauma, learning difficulties, death of a loved one, social issues, illnesses) typically result in Atypical Depression. Normally these cases are accompanied by an increase in emotional distress, which can be overwhelming and result in rage and frustration.
Symptoms and Signs
Consistently depressed or irritated.
Losing interest in social activities or things they normally enjoy.
Social isolation and panic attacks.
Fatigue or insomnia.
Severe mood swings
Persistent suicidal thoughts.
Growing up happens to everyone, and not all children will be as severely affected. Sometimes it can be so difficult to figure out whether we should be getting involved, or if they are best left alone. There are some severe signals that we should be noticing and if your kids are showing these, then it’s likely that they need some extra help as this is too overwhelming for them to take on alone. Recognising precursor signs can prevent development to more extreme actions such as self-harm, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Problems in multiple areas of life - family, relationships, school, or friendships.
A rapid decrease in self-confidence and feeling inadequate.
Insomnia or change in eating habits.
Talking explicitly about suicide or self-harm.
Withdrawing from social environments that they typically enjoy.
Don’t assume that therapy is always the solution, and don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t. seem to be the right tactic. It isn’t going to work if your teen doesn’t want to be there. This is common because it’s likely they haven’t chosen to begin sessions, it’s been their parents. This issue is passed onto the therapist themselves, as it is their job to create an environment in which their client feels comfortable and hopefully encourage discussion. You want your child to be cooperating in sessions and even if this takes time, it’s best to persevere.
Specialised training is needed to be able to work with teens, as they are not as emotionally developed as adults. So if you’re interested, it would be best to consider therapists who frequently work with teens as they will understand what qualities and sessions may suit your teen.