Your adolescent may need treatment for co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression. Maybe they have received a diagnosis such as this, however, the psychiatrist you worked with doesn’t provide the therapy they need. Learn about Foothills at Red Oak Recovery and how we can help you.
Understanding Depression in Adolescents
Why should a teen suffer from depression? You’re probably at a loss where you went wrong. In reality, the depression has nothing to do with you. It isn’t about what you provided or didn’t offer.
Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes neurotransmitter irregularities. As a result, they can’t shake the feelings of sadness, which makes it difficult to function.
Sometimes, there’s a need for depression treatment when the adolescent struggles with other co-occurring issues. The longer this type of condition remains untreated, the more likely it is to contribute to other mood disorders. Similarly, there may be problems at school or process addictions. Video gaming addiction can lead to a need for a visit to our depression treatment center.
How Depression Treatment Works
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery therapists base the approach to co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression, on likely causes. However, because everyone’s different, care must take an individualized approach, too. Services we offer at the adolescent treatment center NC trusts include:
- Pharmacological support that assists with balancing neurotransmitters
- Cognitive behavioral therapy as a way to recognize dysfunctional patterns and develop tools for changing them
- Group therapy sessions for peer support and coping skills development
- One-on-one talk therapy that encourages your teen to open up and talk through their circumstances
- Experiential therapy that offers hands-on opportunities for interacting with others, exploring hobbies, and applying coping skills
At our depression treatment center, your adolescent helps shape the approach to care. They assist with the determination of strategies that work well. Similarly, they can speak up when something isn’t working. The goal of this interactive approach is for your teen to take ownership of healing.
Doing so is instrumental for long-term mental health. Besides that, it helps your adolescent to learn how to advocate for her or himself. Another aspect of treatment is to counteract the symptoms of depression. Although they’re working on dealing with the causes, good-quality depression treatment must also assist with daily living tasks.
At our co-occurring mental health treatment center, your teen undergoes life skills training. For example, when your loved one feels unable to sleep, there’s exercise. By developing and sticking with a fun exercise routine, teens automatically boosts the body’s feel-good neurotransmitter. Similarly, exercise helps with promoting a healthy sleep routine.
Next, there’s an emphasis on healthy meal choices. Balanced nutrition prevents overeating. Also, it ensures that the adolescent receives all the nutrients the brain needs to function well. These discussions take place at the outpatient treatment center and continue in the home.
Looking Forward to the Future
Personalized treatment emphasizes self-care and self-awareness. As the adolescent builds self-esteem and mental flexibility, you’ll notice improvements in mood and actions. Most importantly, you may see changes in the peer group. They may become more selective.
At our depression treatment center, group sessions are excellent proving grounds for this newfound trait. The adolescent may express the desire to explore new extracurricular activities. Opening the door to new experiences and new peers is a good idea. However, it won’t happen overnight.
The lessons that the adolescent learns at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery will assist with seeking help in the future. Even if your teen succeeds in stabilizing the condition and moving off any medication, there may be future care needs. Since they’re becoming more self-aware and able to advocate, it lowers the risk of self-medicating behaviors.
Learn more about depression treatment and contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today by calling 866.300.5275 now.
