MENTAL HEALTH
“COPING REFERS TO THE TEEN’S ABILITY TO HANDLE HER FEELINGS
IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY. THIS IS WHY HELPING CHILDREN LEARN TO
RECOGNIZE AND LABEL THEIR FEELINGS, ACCEPT AND VALIDATE THAT
THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL, BUT ALSO LEARN THAT THEY
HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL THEM, IS SO IMPORTANT.”
DR. JENNIFER ALTMAN, PSYCHOLOGIST, ALLENDALE
also learn that they have the power to
control them, is so important. It is never
too late to help our children learn how
to problem solve, ask for the help they
need, and find healthy outlets for their
emotions.”
SEEKING HELP
Whether it is a parent or a teacher
who notices something amiss,
ultimately, teens will be referred to a
mental health professional.
Crowley says, “Sometimes, teens
are just irritable. However, if you
notice chronic irritability, detachment
from friends, a change in behavior,
if they were very social and now no
longer social…these are signs they
may be depressed. Part of normal
teen behavior is distance from parents
and moodiness. The real hallmark is
change – in sleep, appetite and energy.
These are global signs that they may be
depressed.”
TREATMENTS
“Psychotherapy and medication
together have been found to be most
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF DEPRESSION
• HOPELESSNESS, IRRITABILITY,
ANGER OR HOSTILITY
• LOSS OF INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES
• POOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
• CHANGES IN EATING AND
SLEEPING HABITS
• RESTLESSNESS AND AGITATION
• FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS
AND GUILT
• LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AND
MOTIVATION
• FATIGUE OR LACK OF ENERGY
• UNEXPLAINED ACHES AND PAINS
• DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
• THOUGHTS OF DEATH OR SUICIDE
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AUGUST 2017 | (201) FAMILY
she says, emphasizing that teenagers
need sleep.
Dr. Steven Myers, a school psy-
chologist at Pascack Valley, who also
has a private practice in Oradell, says,
“This generation does not remember
pre-9/11. Their exposure to stress is
much higher. They have an immediacy
and access to information that older
generations did not have. Additionally,
this is a high achieving and high aca-
demically oriented area. Often, these
students end up compromising their
sleep. Sleep is more important.”
Myers suggests preventative efforts
such as mindfulness, breathing, med-
itation and exercise.
Dr. Jennifer Altman, a psychologist
with a practice in Allendale, says,
“One’s ability to cope with strong
emotions is also a factor in why some
people develop clinical depression
and others don’t. Coping refers to the
teen’s ability to handle her feelings in a
constructive way. This is why helping
children learn to recognize and label
their feelings, accept and validate that
they are important and powerful, but
effective for treating true depression,”
Eileen Schneider, a licensed clinical
social worker with a private practice in
Tenafly, says. “In extreme depression,
teens may need a period of psy-
chiatric hospitalization if they are not
responsive to any treatment or are at
suicidal risk.”
“We’ve come a long way in reducing
the stigma of mental illness, but there
is still room to grow,” Myers says.
“The more it is discussed and written
about, the more it is in our social
consciousness, the more it will be
understood.”
Myers educates parents and young
people alike on the signs of suicide. He
also observes that, usually, “Kids are
going to talk to other kids first.” That is
why it is so important to educate young
people, so they can get their friends to
seek help.
He emphasizes, “If someone is
talking about suicide, don’t downplay it.
Follow up with a mental health
professional.” ●