Depression symptoms in your teen are always concerning, no matter how severe they are. It’s common to only associate depression with overwhelming sadness, isolation and extreme fatigue. Those symptoms come from major depressive disorder. However, there’s a less severe yet more chronic type of depression that can impact your teen’s overall quality of life: persistent depressive disorder.

Persistent depressive disorder is also known as PDD or dysthymia. It’s a type of depression that has milder symptoms than major depressive disorder; however, the symptoms last longer. It’s often seen as a mild to moderate chronic depression diagnosis. A teen is likely to be diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder if they are in a low mood for most of the day for at least two years. 

The right treatment can help a  teen experiencing persistent depressive disorder reduce their symptoms. Group and individual therapy can also help teens learn coping strategies to function at a higher level and lead a healthier life. In this post, we’ll share treatments that are effective for persistent depressive disorder. We’ll also discuss how Embrace U teen programs can help.

4 treatment options for teens experiencing persistent depressive disorder

Symptoms of PDD in teens include low self-esteem, pessimism about the future and sleep issues. If your teen is diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder, they can work with their healthcare providers to find the safest and most effective treatments. PDD is often treated with a combination of therapy and medication.

Here are four treatments designed to help teens experiencing persistent depressive disorder symptoms:

1. cognitive behavioral therapy — Psychotherapy is essential to a teen’s mental health journey. By talking to a therapist, they can learn the root issues of their PDD and talk through situations that are causing symptoms. They can also develop coping strategies to manage them. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common psychotherapy approach for teens experiencing depression. The goal is to adjust negative thought patterns that contribute to PDD symptoms.

2. support groups — Many teens all around the world experience some form of depression. It affects approximately 1.4% of adolescents who are 10-14 years old, as well as 3.5% of teens 15-19 years old, according to World Health International. Since it’s such a common issue among the age group, it can be helpful for teens experiencing PDD to lean on one another. Support groups provide a judgment-free zone for teens. They’re able to share experiences with people who can relate. They can also learn strategies and encourage one another during hard times.

3. family counseling — If you’re a parent of a teen with persistent depressive disorder, you can be involved in their treatment. Family counseling is often incorporated into a teen’s persistent depressive disorder treatment. It provides support, issue resolution and education. It’s important that family members understand how they can help a teen experiencing PDD. They can also discuss the family’s impact on the PDD symptoms. 

4. medication management — A teen experiencing PDD may have a hard time reducing their symptoms on their own. However, medication may help; it can also help if they aren’t improving from other treatments. Teens experiencing PDD symptoms may be prescribed antidepressants. It’s important that they take their medication as prescribed and report any side effects to their provider. Medication management ensures safe and effective dosage.

While PDD involves milder depression symptoms than major depressive disorder, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Without treatment, teens experiencing persistent depressive disorder can develop worsening symptoms, which can increase the risk of relationship issues and decreased academic success. This may also lead to self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts. 

Embrace U provides effective treatments to help teens experiencing persistent depressive disorder

When a teen experiences persistent depressive disorder symptoms, it can affect their productivity, relationships and goal planning. However, the right treatment can help them address their mental health challenges. Effective mental healthcare can help them work toward becoming the person they want to be.

Persistent depressive disorder can often be effectively treated with different therapies and medications. However, your teen may require more intensive support, and that’s OK. At Embrace U, we provide outpatient programs for adolescents aged 10 to 18. We help teens experiencing persistent depressive disorder symptoms that are having a severe impact on their overall quality of life. Our full- and part-time programs combine group and individual therapy, family counseling, and medication management.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.