My ex-husband and I share joint custody of our teenage daughter, and she just revealed to me that (while spending the weekend at his house) his friend raped her. I can barely write the words, I’m so sick to my stomach. I immediately pressed charges and enrolled her in counseling, but I wonder what the long-term, psychological effects of this will be for her. Can you help?

Barbara – San Diego, California

Dear Barbara,

Please accept my sincerest sympathies for what you and your daughter are going through. I, too, am sick at the thought of it.

Counseling is essential, so it’s good that she’s receiving some. But you are correct in believing that there are long-term, psychological effects of sexual abuse, especially a crime as monstrous as rape. Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a disorder suffered (in some degree or another) by victims, and it includes the following symptoms:

Re-experiencing the Trauma
Rape victims have intrusive thoughts about what happened to them, and they cannot control these thoughts.

Withdrawal
The people, places and things the victim once enjoyed are ignored.

Avoidance
Unlike withdrawal, avoidance behavior means victims refuse to acknowledge any thoughts, feelings or cues in their lives. Their emotions are turned off, so to speak.

Hostile Behavior
Rather than deal with life in a logical manner, victims tend to experience rage and anger at the slightest provocation.

RTS is a disorder that has a domino effect on the victim’s life. Included in the above symptoms are a range of psychological reactions to the trauma of rape. A distorted body image, an inability to maintain romantic relationships, and sleeping disorders are just some of the anxieties experienced by victims.

You’ve already taken the first step by enrolling your daughter in counseling. Many rape victims keep the crime hidden, and as a result, they don’t receive the professional help that is vital to their mental wellbeing. Your daughter stands a great chance at leading a happy, healthy life.

In the meanwhile, you might consider receiving counseling for your own sake. And don’t feel guilty, as you could do nothing to prevent what happened to your daughter. All you can do is love her and try to move on. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.

Best regards,
Angie

——

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for troubled teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

An estimated 90 percent of our girls have experienced some form of sexual abuse. While some entered the program because of such a history, as many as 95 percent don’t reveal their victimization until much later in the therapeutic process. Like peeling the many layers of an onion, we had to work through the psychological and emotional barriers which kept their abuse a secret. Once out in the open, an amazing spiritual transformation occurred.

Photo by: Madeleine

Upon learning their daughter was sexually abused, many of our parents feel responsible or guilty. They should not, as:

• More than 30 percent of victims never tell anyone.
• Close to 80 percent of victims deny the abuse and hesitate to disclose about it.
• Of the disclosures, 75 percent are done accidentally; while 20 percent recant out of fear.

Sexual abuse is a horrendous crime which plagues more children than society realizes. While thousands of charges are filed yearly, a vast majority go unreported. Current statistics show that:

• One in four girls is sexually abused before age 18.
• Almost 70 percent of reported cases occurred before age 17.
• One in five children is sexually solicited via the Internet.
• There are approximately 39 million sexual-abuse survivors in today’s United States.

The behavioral problems for which girls are enrolled at Trinity Teen Solutions are largely explained by their history of sexual abuse, as:

• Victims report more problems with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and problems at school than non-victims.
• Sexually-abused girls are at a greater risk for eating disorders.
• Seventy to 80 percent of children who are sexually abused grow up to use drugs and alcohol.
• Young girls who are sexually abused are three times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders.
• Close to 50 percent of women in prisons admit to being sexually abused as children.

These numbers are startling, but they’re all the more reason to help our young people while we can. A full 96 percent of the girls who come to Trinity and complete their stay effectively overcome the struggles in their lives due to our family-style, residential treatment program. By addressing the dangers targeting our youth, we can work towards making a happier tomorrow for them.

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for troubled teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

I can barely see straight enough to write this, I’m so angry and sad. I just left my husband after learning that he’s been abusing my teenage daughter, both physically and sexually. He’s not her biological father, and we’ve only been married for two years, but I feel so violated for her violation. I could just scream! Please tell me what to do.

Suzanne – Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Suzanne,

In 1973, a psychiatrist named P.D. Scott noticed a correlation between battered children and step parents, later dubbed the “Cinderella Effect.” His research found that 52 percent of the study group was abused by their step fathers. While most of the crimes consisted of battering, the study also showed a significant occurrence of sexual and psychological abuse.

Studies have shown that stepchildren in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States incur a greater risk of child maltreatment, especially lethal beatings. Here are some other facts about the Cinderella Effect:

• When abusive parents have both step- and genetic children, the step children are usually targeted, while the biological children are spared.

• Upon discovering that one child has been abused, it is not uncommon to discover that all children in the household are also abused.

• Abused step children tend to be the eldest children in the home, but in families with uniform parentage, the youngest child is usually the victim of abuse.

Regarding what you should do, you’ve already taken the first step. Listening to and believing your daughter was essential, as was leaving your husband. All too often, mothers side with their spouse’s, and they do so at their child’s well being.

If you haven’t already done so, report your ex to your local law-enforcement agency. Do so immediately, as there is a statute of limitations which places a time limit on pursuing legal remedies for wrongful conduct. Statutes of limitations vary by state and crime, so consult your lawyer to learn more.

I would highly recommend that both you and your daughter seek professional counseling. There are many non-profit organizations that deal with situations such as yours, and they do so at no cost to you. The counseling is temporary, but the effects will help you both in the long run.

My best to you,
Angie

——

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

This quote from author Beatrix Campbell gets to the heart of sexual abuse. Unlike other crimes, the damage inflicted upon victims is always internal, hidden. Shame and embarrassment are harbored within the soul, where they eat away at a child’s esteem, joy, and wellbeing.

Here at Trinity Teen Solutions, we counsel young women who struggle with a range of behavioral and developmental difficulties. All too often, we discover a history of sexual abuse at the core of their problems. In most cases, the affliction went unnoticed by the parents. If your instincts are telling you that your teen daughter may be a victim of sexual abuse, go with them. The following are some tell-tale signs to look out for.

stevendepolo

Unattractiveness: Your daughter used to put time and effort into her hair, makeup and clothing. Now, she hides her body in baggy, bulky shirts.

Eating Habits: Her healthy, normal appetite has been replaced by significant weight loss or gain.

Anger: She’s grown increasingly withdrawn, and when you question her, she responds with unreasonable outbursts.

Sexual Behavior: Her modesty has been replaced by promiscuity. She dresses and behaves seductively, yearns for male attention, and degrades herself.

Damaged Relationships: She used to spend a lot of time with a particular family member. She now refuses to be alone with that individual.

Habits: She squints her eyes, makes a squeaking sound, excessively bites her nails, or twirls her hair. These behaviors came on suddenly and obsessively, and they are possible signs of inner turmoil.

As previously stated, sexual abuse is the perfect crime, in that it often goes unnoticed. If your daughter is displaying these or any other strange behaviors, ask her if anyone has been inappropriate with her. If she resists, try again. With time, love and patience, you will break through the darkness that’s surrounding her.

—-

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

I’m writing to you with a very sick heart. I just learned that my teenage daughter has been sexually-abused by a friend of the family. She’s currently receiving counseling for it, but I can’t help wondering how this crime will affect her development. What should I expect, and even more so, how can I help her? I feel so lost and sad.

Mary – Boise, Idaho

KenzieMc

Dear Mary,

Your heartache is understandable. The parent-child relationship is the strongest of all bonds. Her pain is your pain.

As you suspect, there could be some long-term effects from her sexual abuse. Every crime leaves a path of destruction behind, and the damage is as unique as the individual victim. The counseling your daughter is receiving should help, but for your information, I’ve included the following list of outcomes from sexual abuse.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as “an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal.” While commonly attributed to war veterans, PTSD can manifest itself from a variety of threatening instances. Nightmares, emotional numbness, and tension are just some of its many symptoms.

Addiction: Sexual-abuse victims tend to bottle up their emotions. Substance abuse is a quick and easy way to numb the pain.

Obesity: Like drugs, victims may also seek out food for emotional comfort.

Poor Relationship Skills: Victims of sexual abuse struggle with relationships. If they don’t refuse them all together, they seek them out desperately.

Other common effects of sexual abuse include (but are not limited to) insomnia, dissociative states, eating disorders, and suicide attempts.

As I said, each person is different, and the way they respond to such abuse will vary. Don’t let this list alarm you, as many victims of sexual abuse have moved on to lead prosperous, fulfilling lives. With proper care and attention, your daughter can grow into a thriving and happy woman.

My best to you,

Angie

——–

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

There is no stronger bond than that between a child and its parent. Part of this bond is an instinct – a “gut feeling” – when something is troubling that child.

Maybe their personality has changed from joyful to reclusive. Perhaps they no longer enjoy the activities they once took part in. Or possibly their dress, eating habits, and dialog is now different. Whatever the case, the child you once knew is gone, and you want to know why. And while you dread the thought, you can’t help but wonder if someone has harmed them.

You wonder if they’ve been sexually abused.

This is the most vicious of crimes, in that it damages the innermost part of a person…their spirit. Its victims become overwhelmed by guilt and shame, and as a result, they hide their affliction from the people who can help them. Their signs of turmoil, however, are not completely invisible.

If you suspect your child has been sexually abused, go with those suspicions and ask. The following is a step-by-step guide to starting and getting the most out of that conversation.

Esther Gibbons

Choose your environment when discussing sexual abuse.

Pick a place where you know your child is most at ease, preferably in your home. As the topic is uncomfortable for both of you, it would be ideal to exclude any other individuals from the conversation.

Be honest about why you are talking with them about sex abuse.

Your child said or did something to concern you, so ask them about it, and use specifics. For example, “Your teacher said you’re afraid to undress in gym class,” and go from there. Asking a child if he or she is okay will get you nowhere, so get straight to the point.

Choose your words when talking about sexual predators.

If speaking to a young child, don’t ask if someone has been “hurting” them, as they might misinterpret the word to mean hitting or pinching. Ask if someone has been touching them in ways that make them feel uncomfortable.

Eliminate secrets and let your child know he or she can talk to you.

It’s not uncommon for sexual predators to coax their victims into keeping the abuse a secret. Speak calmly and tenderly to your child, and remind them that they can tell you anything.

If the conversation hits a dead end, don’t completely dismiss your hunches. What’s important is that you laid the foundation for a safe, open dialog with your child. When they’re ready, they’ll know that they can come to you with anything.

—-

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation

        

As a chemical dependency counselor, I have watched as the media and the political groups push to legalize medical marijuana. In the process, they seem to have opened a door to legitimize the use of recreational marijuana. Cannabis has been portrayed as the misunderstood drug that is really quite harmless when used occasionally for fun. Yet parents should take heed. While pot may find its place in the medical world that does not mean that its recreational use, among teenagers and young adults, is harmless.

What are the side effects of marijuana use?

According to NIDA (The National Institute on Drug Abuse), the short-term effects of marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, increased problems with problem-solving, and loss of motor coordination.[i] These effects are hardly harmless when you think about the average teenager’s life. How many times does your teenager drive her car to school? Menial task you might think. Yet driving requires the ability to problem-solve say, a patch of ice on the road or navigate through traffic. A study preformed in Memphis, TN, showed that out of 150 reckless drivers tested for drugs at the scene of a wreck, 33% tested positive for pot and 12 % tested positive for pot and cocaine. Studies show that “while smoking marijuana, people show the same lack of coordination” as a person impaired by alcohol.[ii] Smoking marijuana and a teenage driver is a bad mix.

Students who smoke pot do poorly in school.

How does a teenager pass the SATs or the weekly math test for that matter, when ability to learn and remember has been impaired by drug use? According to the Research Report on Marijuana published by NIDA, students who smoke cannabis have lower grades and are less likely to graduate from high school than their non-drug using counterparts. In fact the more one used marijuana, the more they “fall behind in accumulating intellectual, job or social skills”.[iii]

by windy sydney

Cannabis and Memory Loss

The negative impact on memory and learning for heavy marijuana users can last not just days but actually weeks. A study involving 129 college students found that those who had smoked cannabis within the past 27 of 30 days, showed impaired attention, memory, and learning ability. These same researchers also showed that heavy users had impaired ability to recall a list of words up to one week following the stop of their use. Normal memory returned by four weeks.[iv] Parents might see pot use as just a phase or kids having fun, but the chronic use of cannabis can have significant consequences on a teenager’s future.

How do you know if your teenager is smoking pot?

According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 25.8 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once (ages 12 and up)[v] and a 2008 Monitoring the Future study showed that 32.4% of twelfth graders have tried marijuana at least once.[vi] This, by no means, indicates that every twelfth grader is abusing marijuana.

If your child is under the influence, look for odd behavior such as dizziness or trouble walking, they may seem silly, giggly and have a difficult time remembering recent events. Their eyes may be red and bloodshot. Over a short period of time, marijuana will make a person very sleepy.[vii]
Changes in behavior are a good indication that a teenager may be using more regularly. Look for withdrawal from family and maybe even old friends, depression, fatigue, a disregard for self-care and grooming. Their grades may go down, they may be skipping school, their sleeping habits change, and there may be a loss in interest in activities that was previously very important to them. Parents should look out for eye drops, pipes, bongs, rolling paper, or drugs stashes. Their clothing choices may change and they may use deodorizers to hide the smell.[viii]

What to do when you think your teen is smoking pot.

If you suspect that your teenager is using marijuana. Confront them with the evidence. It is very important that a parent use reason and concrete proof as their ally in this process. It is difficult for any parent to believe that “my child” could be involved in drug use and illegal activity. No one likes to entertain this idea, and if you react based on this denial and an emotional response, your teenager may not get the help they need as quickly as they need it. Consistent and chronic use of marijuana can become an addiction problem. A drug test will give parents an accurate and truthful understanding of their child’s activities. Urine analysis kits can be found at local drug stores. Depending on how much marijuana has been smoked, it can be found in the body for about a month. It can’t hurt to speak with you local drug and alcohol treatment facility about assessments, education and treatment options.

Talk with your teens about the consequences of pot use.

Talking to your children about the negative consequences of pot use is a great prevention strategy. Be involved in their sports, academic, and social lives. Get to know their friends. Encourage your children to express themselves in life-affirming activities such as sports, structured school activities, church groups, and volunteer work. Keep the lines of communication open. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from professionals such as counselors. Even a child with high risk factors, such as a family history of drug addiction, can learn tools to stay away from dangerous people, places and circumstances. You are your child’s best resource and protection.

[i] NIDA Publication NO. 04-4037. Marijuana: Facts for Teens. March 2008.
[ii] NIDA Publication NO. 04-4037. Marijuana: Facts for Teens. March 2008.
[iii] NIH Publication NO. 05-3859 Research Report Series: Marijuana Abuse. July 2005.
[iv] NIH Publication NO. 05-3859 Research Report Series: Marijuana Abuse. July 2005.
[v] http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Marijuana.html
[vi] http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Marijuana.html
[vii] NIDA Publication NO. 07-4036. Marijuana: Facts Parents need to know. August 2007.
[viii] NIDA Publication NO. 07-4036. Marijuana: Facts Parents need to know. August 2007

——————-

Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for troubled teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation.

        

Photo by .robbie

Types of Problems

People seek the assistance of a mental health professional (MHP) for many different reasons. These are some of the most common:

1. You feel unhappy most of the time.
2. You worry all the time and are unable to find the solutions to your problems.
3. You feel extremely sad and helpless.
4. You feel nervous, anxious, and worried most of the time.
5. You have panic attacks.
6. You have a hard time concentrating.
7. Your emotional state is affecting your daily life: your sleep, eating habits, job, and relationships.
8. You are having a hard time functioning from day to day. Your emotional state is affecting your performance at work or school.
9. Your behavior is harmful to yourself or to others.
10. You are feeling impatient and angry with someone you are taking care of.
11.  You are having problems with your family members or in other important relationships.
12.  You or someone you care about has problems with substance abuse or other addictions.
13.  You are the victim of sexual abuse or domestic violence.
14.  You have an eating disorder.
15.  You are having trouble getting over the death of someone you loved.
16.  You or someone you love has a serious illness and you are having a hard time with it.
17.  You feel lonely and isolated.
18.  You are experiencing problems in a sexual relationship.
19.  Your family has a lot of conflict and tension.
20.  You are experiencing a divorce or marital separation.
21.  You are having a hard time coping with change.
22.  You often feel afraid, angry, or guilty.
23.  You have a hard time setting and reaching goals.
24.  Your child is having problems with behavior or school performance.
25.  Your family is stressed because someone is ill.
26.  You have a hard time talking with your partner, children, parents, family members, friends, or coworkers.
27.  You are having problems dealing with your own sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of someone you care about.
28.  You are planning to marry, and you have some concerns.
29.  You have gotten a divorce and your family needs help adjusting.
30.  You are part of a blended family and need help learning to live together.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

The most common MHPs in the United States are Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, and Professional Counselors. Each state has its own licensing laws and standards that govern each type of professional. While all licensed MHPs can help most people with problems of living, each group has its own special training in specific areas that makes them more qualified for certain types of issues. In addition, each individual therapist has a unique set of experiences that makes him or her uniquely qualified to work with certain kinds of issues.

Psychologists generally have a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree in psychology from an accredited school. They must complete a rigorous internship period and pass a state licensing exam. In addition to their undergraduate college degree, most psychologists spend five to seven years in education and training. They study scientific methods and the science of human behavior, building skills for working with people who have real life problems.

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) generally have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related subject from an accredited school. In most states, they must complete a supervised internship period and pass a state licensing exam. Marriage and family therapists are trained to work with people, focusing on how they relate to others. While they often work with an individual client, the focus of treatment is the set of relationships that surround the client and how those relationships impact the client. MFTs are trained in psychotherapy and family systems. They are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems. They work in a variety of settings with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents, providing support and a fresh viewpoint as people struggle with life’s challenges.

Social Workers have a BSW or MSW from an accredited school. They must have completed an MSW and a supervised internship before passing a state licensing exam. (Each state has its own licensing regulations.) The social work profession focuses on individual happiness and well-being in a social context. It is also concerned with the well-being of the society that surrounds the individual. Social workers are trained to pay attention to the environmental forces that may contribute to the individual’s life problems.

Licensed Counselors have a master’s degree in psychology or a related subject from an accredited school. In most states, they must complete a supervised internship period and pass a state licensing exam.

Referral to Other Health Professionals

When it is in the best interest of the patient or outside the scope of the MHP’s license, therapists collaborate with and refer to other health professionals, such as physicians or psychiatrists in the case of prescribing medication.

Confidentiality

Each group of MHPs has strict ethical guidelines governing privacy and confidentiality. Clients of licensed MHPs can expect that discussions will be kept confidential, except as otherwise required or permitted by law. Examples of times when confidentiality must be broken are when child abuse has occurred or where the client threatens violence against another person.
When you are looking for a mental health professional to help you address your issues, it is very important to ask about a therapist’s qualifications to treat your specific concerns.

Visit these web sites to learn more:

www.aamft.org (National Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)
www.apa.org (American Psychological Association)
www.naswdc.org (National Association of Social Work)
www.counseling.org (American Counseling Association)

——-
Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families.  Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation.

        

Self-esteem literally means to esteem, or respect, yourself. Having high self-esteem means that you have a positive image of yourself. Let’s look at where such a positive self-image comes from.

In her classic book Celebrate Yourself, Dorothy Corkville Briggs makes a distinction between the real you and your self-image. She says that the real you is unique and unchanging. Most of your self-image-what you think is true about yourself-is learned. It is not necessarily accurate at all!

Where are your beliefs about yourself drawn from? Where did you learn them? If you think about it, you’ll see that they came from:

• What others said about you
• What others told you
• What others did to you

Your self-image is the result of all the messages you heard about yourself as a child. These messages added up to a set of beliefs about who you are. It may have nothing to do with who you really are.

For example, you may believe things like:

• I’m not very smart.
• I’m naturally passive.
• Girls aren’t any good at math.
• I’m too old to start over.
• All of the women in the Breski family become doctors.
• I’m painfully shy.
• The Hurleys never lie.

In addition to learning to believe certain things during our early years, there are certain situations that make most people feel inferior or lacking in self-esteem.

Some examples are:

• Being criticized
• Not being loved
• Being rejected
• Experiencing failure

Image by foxtrotyankee

What Low Self-Esteem Feels Like

In situations like these above, it is not uncommon to feel emotions such as:

• Sadness
• Inferiority
• Anger
• Jealousy
• Rejection

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is one of the most successful methods for helping people feel better about themselves. Cognitive therapists help depressed and anxious people feel better by identifying how faulty ways of thinking are making them feel bad. They believe that faulty thoughts cause us to feel bad, which makes us feel bad about ourselves.

Cognitive therapists call these faulty ways of thinking “twisted thinking.” Cognitive therapy is a process where the client analyzes his or her thoughts and beliefs, and learns to substitute more healthy ways of thinking and believing. These therapists help their clients feel better in four steps: First, identify the upsetting events that cause bad feelings; second, record your thoughts about the event; third, identify the distortions in your thinking process; and fourth, substitute rational responses. When the client successfully completes these four steps, the client usually feels better about him- or herself.

Thinking the right kinds of thoughts is one way to feel good about yourself. Now let’s talk about a second way to increase your self-esteem: by taking a look at your life environment and seeing whether it supports you feeling good about yourself. You may find that some nourishing elements need to be replenished. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you have people in your life who:

1. Treat you with love and respect?
2. Encourage you to do and be anything you want?
3. Help you find out what you want to do, and how to do it?
4. Encourage you to explore all of your talents and interests?
5. Are thrilled when you succeed?
6. Listen to you when you need to complain?
7. Help you bounce back from failure without making you feel bad?

Take a moment to think about each of the items on this list. Note where your environment is providing adequately for you, and where it is lacking. This can give you clues to how to build your own self-esteem.

Strategies for Esteem Building

1. Pay attention to how you are feeling from moment to moment. Tune in to what your five senses are experiencing. Take it down to the most basic level of “I feel warm right now,” “I feel light-headed,” “I feel a tightness in my stomach.”

2. Revisit your interests and goals. Make a list of things you’d like to do and learn. Today, take one step toward learning more.

3. Spend less time with critical people and more time with those who appreciate you.

4. Spend some time with yourself at the end of each day. Review what happened and how you were feeling. Write about it in a private journal.

5. If you are feeling bad about yourself, consider finding a therapist to help you get your life on a positive track.

Suggested Reading

Nathaniel Branden, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. New York, Bantam, 1994.

Dorothy Corkville Briggs, Celebrate Your Self: Making Life Work For You. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1977.

David D.Burns, Ten Days to Self-Esteem. New York, William Morrow, 1993.

Barbara Sher with Annie Gottlieb, Wishcraft. New York, Ballantine Books, 1979.

——-

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed Christian Residential Treatment Center for at risk teen girls, young adult women, and their families. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation.

        

Before diagnosing a teenager with depression, it’s important to recognize the physiological changes occurring within his or her body. The maturation process is marked by an influx of hormones, which contribute to the adolescent’s mood swings. Add onto this the stress of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and it’s not uncommon for youths to display characteristics of depression.

But there are other factors that could contribute to teenage depression. The death of a loved one, breakups with girlfriends or boyfriends, or even failure at school can weigh heavily on the psyche. These circumstances, coupled with growing pains, can result in a depressed state of mind.

Photo by Emy Racoon

Sad vs. Depressed

Sadness is part of the human condition, just as happiness is. Some situations call for us to be sad, such as the loss of a love. It’s when we’re unable to break out of this sadness that help is needed, and this is how you decipher sadness from depression.

While it’s normal for teenagers to experience mood swings, it’s important to notice when sadness evolves into depression. Chronic depression can be identified by a persistent, melancholy state. Strained relationships with family and friends, substance abuse, and other negative behaviors also indicate a need for professional assistance. Other signs include:

• Excessive Sleeping
• Change in Eating Habits
• Criminal Behavior
• Obsession with Death
• Isolation

Do not take any of these signs lightly, or excuse them as “normal teenage behavior.” If your teen is consistently displaying one or several of these depression indicators, it’s time to get involved.

Treatments for Depression

Teenage depression is a sensitive matter. Adolescents are emotional, and respond to depression more angrily than adults. For this reason, it’s important that parents remain open-minded and patient.

Prior to seeking professional help, parents should:

• Listen to their child;
• Don’t criticize;
• Make sure their teen knows he or she can speak to them;
• Don’t pressure their teen to talk;
• Take notice of positive things their teenager does;
• Suggest to their teen to visit the family doctor.

Most importantly, parents should keep their eyes and ears open. If (after trying to help their teen) nothing seems to work, it’s time to take charge. Talk to your family doctor, and begin the depression screening process. You’re the parent, and you know what’s best.

—–

Angie Woodward is a Registered Nurse in Wyoming and is the founder and owner/director of Trinity Teen Solutions, Inc. TTS is a licensed boarding school for troubled teens. Call 307-645-3384 for a free consultation.