How Do Parents Deal With Teen Depression? Anxiety Starts In US Kids From The Age Of 11, Study Says

Have you seen your teenaged child being unhappy most of the times in the recent times? It's likely that he or she might be experiencing depression as it can start in the turbulent teenage years, and as parents, you have to watch out for the symptoms.

According to a recent study, depression in many children in the U.S. starts at the age of 11. By the time, they reach the age of 17, 13.6 percent of boys and 36.1 percent of girls have been or are depressed.

The study, which was published in the journal "Translational Psychiatry," was based on data compiled from in-person interviews with more than 100,000 children who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2009 to 2014.

Read: Group Therapy Sessions Are Effective Treatment For Depression, Study Finds

The study also found that the "proportion of recent first-onset depression is higher in female subjects than in males at all ages."

The causes of depression in teenagers can vary from establishing their own identities, trying out different things independently, taking more risks socially, and even experimenting with drugs or alcohol. So, for the family, it becomes difficult to differentiate between the typical turmoil of a teen and a depressed teen.

"It's difficult for parents to recognize depression in teens, since kids in this age group can have more emotional highs and lows, and they also tend to isolate themselves more," Live Science reported citing Dr. Gene Beresin, executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Beresin said parents should watch out for behavioral clues that reveal how teenagers feel. Teens can shut down or suddenly bring about a change in their personality which could also point towards the onset of depression. Even more common than being sad is a teen becoming more irritable," Beresin said.

Other signs of depression include less concentration in usual activities or using substances to self-medicate. "If you see these changes in multiple areas of a kid's life, that's raising a red flag," Beresin said.

A depressed teen can take months to recover. According to Michael Strober, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and senior consultant to the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, depression in teens is “a serious mental health problem” which isn’t necessarily temporary. “Depression can linger for months and a significant number of young people can have a recurrence,” he said.

Strober also said cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used as a treatment for mild to moderate depression.

Read: 10 Quotes About Depression And Mental Health

There are specific treatments for depression, as Alice Rubenstein, Ed.D, a clinical psychologist in private practice who treats teens, said, according to a report. "Most people think that depression is difficult to treat, but treatments like CBT can help," Rubenstein added.

Rubenstein emphasized on the right kind of treatment for teens suffering from depression. “Teens who are suffering from depression can be helped so it’s important to get them treatment. If you think your teen has depression, seek a psychologist who specializes in treating adolescents. It’s key to see an expert," he said.

“You wouldn’t hire a plumber to put on your new roof.” Even if your teen doesn’t want to go to therapy or you haven’t discussed the option yet, an appointment is critical. A psychologist can educate you on depression (also consider checking out sources on your own), how to help and give you the tools you need," Rubenstein added.

According to a study published in the journal "Pediatrics" in November, it was found that the number of teens affected by depression increased significantly after 2011. The researchers attributed to the rising dependence on social media by teenagers.

Teenagers constant addiction to Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat can divert their attention and increase their dependency on social media. Those teens who spend most of their time on social networking sites are more concerned about their looks in order to get attention from their peers. Ramin Mojtabai, one of the authors of the study found that the surge in teen depression could be due to these factors, according to National Public Radio.

Mojtabai said girls, in particular, "are more likely to use these new means of communication, and hence they may be exposed to cyber bullying or other negative aspects of the social media."