Teens living with depression experience mood differently. “Just snapping out of it” isn’t an option when living with a depressive disorder. It might even be hard for them to practice self-care and distract themselves with movies, music, or other activities that might normally help them cope. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for adolescents can help them learn skills to regulate their emotions and manage their depression better.
You can find DBT for teens in Florida at Family First. Call 888.904.5947 for more information.
How Teens Experience Depression
Adolescence is already filled with hormonal changes, peer pressure, academic stress, and other big life transitions. Adding depression to the mix can amplify the emotional turmoil that comes with being a teenager.
Depression can cause:
- Intense sadness and feelings of worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Irritability, anger, or agitation
It also has an impact on emotional regulation, making it difficult for teens to manage their moods and reactions. They may feel overwhelmed by intense emotions or have difficulty expressing themselves.
Depression Affects Emotional Regulation
People with depression have a hard time regulating their emotions. The low moods caused by depression and, more significantly, the struggle to recover from the low mood are hallmarks of emotional dysregulation.
Emotional dysregulation is the inability to regulate—or control—responses to emotions. People who have trouble regulating their emotions often want to be able to change how they respond to their emotions, but their efforts to do so are unsuccessful. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration, further exacerbating the symptoms of depression.
DBT Helps with Intense Emotions
One effective treatment for depression and emotional dysregulation is dialectical behavior therapy. DBT was developed to help individuals with mental health conditions that caused suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, and difficulty regulating emotions.
DBT works because it teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Mindfulness helps individuals become more aware of their emotions and thoughts in the present moment without judgment or avoidance.
- Distress tolerance teaches coping skills for managing intense emotions and urges that may lead to self-destructive behaviors.
- Emotion regulation provides tools for identifying and changing negative or overwhelming emotions.
- Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on improving communication and relationships with others.
Teens with depression and emotional dysregulation can greatly benefit from DBT. Professional treatment, along with support from loved ones, can help teens learn how to manage their emotions and improve their well-being.
Group and Individual Settings for DBT
Individual therapy sessions are a vital part of DBT. Connecting with a therapist one-on-one allows teens to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a safe and confidential environment. The therapist can also provide personalized strategies for coping with emotional dysregulation.
For teens, group therapy allows them to practice new skills in situations that are more similar to their daily lives than individual therapy. Group therapy also provides a sense of community and support from peers who understand their struggles.
Reach Out for Help from Family First
If your teen is struggling with depression, there is hope. DBT could help them manage their emotions and live a more fulfilling life. At Family First, we create individual therapy plans for every teen we help. Often, those plans include teaching DBT skills.
If you think your teen could benefit from treatment at Family First, please message us online or call 888.904.5947 to learn more about our program. With more than 120 years of combined clinical experience, you can be sure that your teen will receive the best care possible at Family First. Let us help your teen find hope and healing from depression.