Why My Teenage Daughter is Depressed

Teenage boys don’t always have serious depression like girls do. As a mother or father who is concerned about your teenage daughter, and is not sure how to address the situation, you are probably wondering, “How do I figure out why my teenage daughter is depressed?” You must confront her gently but firmly.

Compassion, along with true concern will help you to get to the root of her emotions when talking with her. However, don’t give in to her self-pity. Self-pity will only make depression worse for anyone, no matter what age they are. She needs to know that you care about her well-being.

She needs strength and courage to face this depression head on. Many girls that are going through puberty want someone to talk to because their emotions and hormones are haywire. If my teenage daughter is depressed, I’m going to automatically assume that she needs help in dealing with the emotions that come from puberty. Even if it isn’t the reason, your teenage daughter is still going to need help in dealing with puberty.

Emotional Intelligence

Your teenage daughter needs help in learning to deal with her growing sexuality and her emotions.  Teenagers need someone to help them understand what different emotions mean. As the parent(s), you must realize how important emotional intelligence really is. Think about the following emotions:

• Anger

• Fear

• Anxiety

• Depression/Hopelessness

• Jealousy

• Envy

• Pride

The list of dangerous emotions goes on and on. There was a book written, called “Deadly Emotions: Understand the Mind, Body, Spirit Connection” by Don Colbert, who gives you an insight regarding the ways in which deadly emotions are directly connected to physical and mental illnesses on a more serious level. Many people don’t understand how serious diseases such as leukemia, cancer, and even immune disorders can be caused by flailing emotions that aren’t controlled by those who exhibit them.

Actually, if we don’t understand and learn to deal with these emotions, then we can take these things out on ourselves, and in the end, this is what can cause more serious mental and physical illnesses. If you are wondering what to do, have a conversation with your teenage daughter. Many other parents probably say the same thing as you: “My teenage daughter is depressed, but what things can I say to help? or “My teenage daughter is depressed and I feel helpless.” You don’t have to feel helpless any longer. We are here to help you.

Here is some depression advice you can say or talk about with your teenage daughter:

• “Can I try to help you understand why you are depressed so you can learn how to work through the depression?”

• “What can I do to help you? Do you feel comfortable talking with me, or would you feel more comfortable talking to a counselor? Counselors are required to keep everything confidential, even from me as your parent, unless it is something truly dangerous that you talk about. Do you think that may be an option for you?”

• “Did something happen that you need to talk about? You can tell me anything, and it will be a secret just between you and me.”

• “I love you and I want to help you. Being a teenager, going through puberty, and starting high school is all very confusing, and can be hard to deal with.

• “Your emotions are to be expressed, not denied. Don’t be ashamed of your feelings, we all have feelings, and sometimes they are painful.”

Be sure to use these statements with compassion. Don’t allow judgment to get in the way of talking and listening to your teenager. You have the authority and right as a parent to help your teenagers get through trying times of growing into an adult. If they miss this part of their lives, their future could be hanging by a thread.

*The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Never substitute, disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice and assistance for any health or mental issue(s) you have or are concerned about because of something you have read.