Myths About Depression In The Young

[By Sally Chia] Aug 20, 2008 When dealing with children and adolescents, it is important not to write off their feelings or brush them aside. There are many myths about depression in the young, which we must be careful not to fall prey to:

1. It is normal for teens to be moody. This is not true. Feeling sad is different from having a depressive disorder. Normal mood swings of adolescence will not impair the person's functioning or cause them to commit suicide.

2. Depressed people are mentally weak and need to pull themselves together. Depression is an illness that needs treatment. Teenagers with this illness cannot just pull themselves together and get well. They need help.

3. Talking about depression only makes it worse. Part of helping children and adolescents with depression is to allow them to talk through their problems and help them to process relevant issues in their thinking patterns or difficulties in their interpersonal relationships. Talking about depression gives them an outlet and can make things better.

Browse Pages 

1 2 3 Next