Are you a parent of a Depressed Teenager? Does it sadden you to see them this way? Are you contemplating therapy? What if I could help you by sharing some insight and secrets into being the saving grace for your teenager?Teenage depression is the symptom of some deeper issues; it sprouts out of the insecurities and pressures going on within the adolescent's mind.
Depression itself is just a warning sign to you the parent, advising you of a deeper cause needing to be addressed and corrected at the root.
Think of a vehicle that overheats, when the pressure from the heat is too high, a light turns on warning the driver of an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. The driver must now go under the hood to either add more water, antifreeze or replace the thermostat, in order to keep the vehicle running and functioning properly.
It's no secret that teenagers are under a tremendous amount of pressure in this rapidly growing world of technology and pop culture; teens worry about many things like their future, getting a job, making their parents proud, getting a good education, who they want to become in the world and the responsibilities that come along with adulthood.
Some may have deeper issues like sexual abuse, divorce, self-criticism, emotional sibling rivalry or loss in relationships.
This is no doubt a critical time for them as they are being faced with some difficult decision making not to mention that they are in a point of their life where they feel powerless and seriously doubt themselves.
This combination of pressure and low self-esteem is what makes the teen years so difficult to endure and is one of the underlying factors of the depression that teens are experiencing today.
As a parent, it is important for you to know that they are depressed because of all the pressure and self-doubt they are trying to deal with, and under the hood at the root cause there is something called: FEAR.
Have you ever been afraid?
Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek their own reassurance when they're afraid, teenagers usually rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering, and offer the support they are quietly and unconsciously yearning for.
Teens do not yet know how to identify, acknowledge or express their fear, so they bottle it up and suppress it. Here is where you, the parent recognize that your teen is afraid and needs you to be their saving grace. They need you to BE a lot of things for them in this difficult time, more than anything they need you to BE:
� Vulnerable
� Loving
� Understanding
� Compassionate
This is the context in which will create trust, permission and the invitation for your teen to open up and share with you; you get to be the outlet for them to release the pressure and heaviness that is causing the depression.
It is important at this time to be non-judgmental but sympathetic to the process that which they are in; it might even help to share with them some of your own fears.
Be prepared to maybe not have the instant results at first; it may take several attempts to get them to trust you enough and feel safe enough to share. It is most likely that it has been a while since you have shown up to them in this way. If you can access all of these ways of being and can commit to creating a new relationship where both of you share your thoughts, fears and doubts with one another, I believe you will slowly see the inner child come shining through as you once remember them in all of their greatness.
Alex Urbina is a world renowned Transformational Family Life Coach and Motivational Youth Speaker;
Have you ever dreamed of living your life with a purpose and being rewarded for it in ways that you could not imagine? Alex Urbina is fulfilling that dream. In 1994 at the age of twenty-three, he had a profound and unique life altering experience that changed his life forever. Since then, he has been making a difference in communities and families all over the world, today he is recognized as one of the leading experts in transformational trainings for teens and parents.
http://www.alexurbina.com
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