Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions of men, women, and teens each year. It impacts more than just the person struggling with their symptoms, but their families as well. Understanding depression and family relationships can help families see what is causing the depression and how to create a supportive home environment. A family therapy program is an essential part of a well-rounded mental health treatment program.
At Imagine Seattle, we work with teen boys and girls between 12 and 17 who are struggling with depression, personality disorders, or other mental health disorders. We know how important family is and include them in our treatment programs. Parents and siblings can talk about their feelings or frustrations and work on improving communication skills and the family unit. For more information about our family therapy program and all of its benefits, call 888.346.0473 today to speak with our friendly staff.
Understanding Depression and Family Relationships
Family relationships can cause depression in teens in various ways. Sometimes, both parents have to work and can’t spend enough time with their children, or they argue a lot or use drugs or alcohol openly. If parents have a history of depression, their children are at an increased risk of experiencing depression. If left untreated, depression in teens will worsen and impact their education, social development, and future happiness.
If you are concerned that your teen son or daughter is struggling with depression, here are some signs of depression that you can look for:
- A messy room
- A lack of personal hygiene
- Irregular sleeping habits
- Skipping meals
- Canceling plans with friends
- Excessive crying
- Feeling sad for no reason
- Substance abuse
At Imagine Seattle, we understand the connection between depression and family relationships and work to rebuild trust and any broken relationships. Parents and siblings can talk about their feelings or frustrations in a safe and non-judgmental space while learning how to communicate with their teens.
How Can Family Therapy Improve the Family Dynamics?
Family therapy is very beneficial for families with teens who struggle with depression due to family or peer relationships, school performance, or other factors. Family therapy helps everyone in the family better understand how depression affects not just the person but the whole family.
Here are just a few ways that family therapy can improve family dynamics:
- Communication skills—A lack of open communication between families is very unhealthy and can lead to feeling isolated and alone, depression, and addiction. Therapists will work with families to improve their communication skills and that it is OK to talk about their feelings openly.
- Create a stable home environment—The best way to recover from depression is with the love and support of your family, even when they are one of the reasons behind the depression. Families learn how to create a stable and supportive home environment free from the stresses and triggers that can interfere with the recovery process.
- Improving the family dynamic—Depression can tear apart families and seriously impact children’s ability to form healthy relationships. By including all family members in the recovery process, they can begin working on restoring trust and creating stronger, healthier relationships.
Understanding how depression and family relationships affect each other is crucial for both the patient and their family.
Choose Imagine Seattle’s Family Therapy Program to Help Your Teen Struggling with Depression
At Imagine Seattle, we support teen boys and girls aged 12-17 who are struggling with depression, social anxiety, or other mental health disorders. Our team of certified therapists and medical staff work together to create a treatment program that addresses all of their symptoms. We invite families into the recovery process to resolve any issues contributing to the depression and teach them how to create a stronger family dynamic.
If your teen son or daughter is struggling with depression, call 888.346.0473 or fill out our online form today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
