Treatment Programs for Teens Experiencing Depression

Depression often becomes apparent during adolescence. A normally active teen may become lethargic. Or a teen who used to enjoy socializing may suddenly become withdrawn.

Depression is very treatable with the help of professional intervention. Left untreated, depression could get worse and it may affect all areas of your teen's life. Their grades may decline, they may stop spending time with friends, and they may have trouble meeting their responsibilities. 

Usually, outpatient therapy is a very effective treatment for depression. Talk therapy may involve helping your teen change the way they think or it could involve changing some of their behavior that reinforces their feelings of depression (like sleeping all day on the weekends). 

Therapy may also involve the family. A therapist may want to address issues that affect the entire family, like divorce ongoing family conflict. 

Most of the time, therapy is very helpful in reducing symptoms of depression. Occasionally, however, symptoms don't get better. And they might even get worse. If therapy doesn't work, a teen may need a higher level of care.

It may be time to consider a treatment program for a depressed teen when the following circumstances are present:

• A teen is actively suicidal.
• A depressed teen is abusing drugs or alcohol.
• A teen is not responding positively to outpatient therapy or less intensive treatment options.
• The depressive symptoms a teen experiences significantly impact their ability to function in daily life.

There are several different types of treatment programs available to teens. A therapist or your teen's pediatrician will usually refer your teen to the best program. Here are three types of treatment programs.

Day treatment programs, which are ideal for teens who do not need 24-hour care, offer a structured, supportive environment during the day. They can help a teen who is struggling in school or otherwise having significant problems in trying to cope on a daily basis with their depression. Teens may attend for the majority of the day and then return home in the evenings. Often, programs coordinate with a child's school to allow the student to continue their normal daily routine while providing extra support.

Day treatment programs offer a variety of services, including:

• Clinical assessment
• Individual, family, and group therapy
• Rehabilitation activities

Residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools are specifically designed to treat mental health disorders. They are staffed to provide constant supervision and therapeutic support. These programs are set up to treat mental health disorders by providing the following services:

• Academic programming
• An individualized treatment plan
• Individual and group therapy 
• Psychiatric care, including medication
• Alternative therapies, like art therapy or pet therapy
• Discharge planning

Residential programs that may not be well suited for teens with depression, and which in some cases can worsen the symptoms, include wilderness therapy and boot camps, as these programs may not provide adequate mental health support for the treatment of depression. 

A depressed teen who is suicidal may need to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital in order to ensure their safety. The primary goal in this setting is to decrease suicidal thoughts by providing structure, medication, and intensive therapy. Hospital stays are short, fast-paced, and intense and most teens will then need to transition to a residential program for further treatment. Sometimes the hospital treatment can be involuntary.

During their stay, teens often participate in the following activities:

• Academic programs
• Family therapy 
• Group therapy 
• Individual therapy 
• Multi-family groups
• Occupational, recreational and art therapies 
• Psychological testing

Don’t be surprised if your teen insists nothing is wrong or is resistant to treatment. Many teens are embarrassed, ashamed, afraid, or confused by the symptoms of depression. Be patient and do your best to explain to your teen that there is no shame in seeking help. Be available to listen to their concerns and encourage them to talk to you about any fears they may be having.

If your teen outright refuses to get help, you can talk to a therapist to gain new ideas and skills for helping your teen better cope.