Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in all of the United States. While the existence of depression has certainly been found in individuals of seemingly all demographic categories (race, age, income, gender, etc.), it is statistically more common in American teens.
The causes of teenage depression are wide ranging and can often be incredibly complex. If left untreated, teen depression can result in individuals struggling with school, work, relationships, and seemingly every other component of life.
If you are the parent of a teenager who is suffering from depression, you may find yourself having difficulty knowing exactly where to turn. Though it would be incredible if your teen could simply turn their depression “off” and begin living their life like they used to, doing so is something that is almost always out of their immediate grasp.
Fortunately, due to continued advances in the world of teen psychology, treating teen depression is something that is more possible than ever before. Though there is still no “magic button” that can immediately resolve depression-related issues overnight, treatment has become significantly more comprehensive and capable of addressing multiple—often directly connected—issues at once.
One of the most important developments in the world of psychology has been the widespread use of dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis, which is often referred to as co-occurring treatment, seeks to not only address the existence of one mental health condition (such as depression) but also address any other conditions that may exist as a direct result (or are a contributing factor).
In this article, we will discuss the most important things for you to know about dual diagnosis and why dual diagnosis may be necessary to treat teen depression. As the implementation of this approach to treatment continues to advance, then it seems that the likelihood of a successful recovery will inevitably continue to increase.
What is dual diagnosis? What are its benefits?
Generally speaking, the individuals who are most likely to suffer from an additional mental health disorder are the individuals who already have at least one pre-existing mental health condition. While some previous approaches to psychology would essentially result in each of these conditions being addressed separately, psychologists have recently discovered that it makes much more sense to address all of these relevant issues at once.
Essentially, dual diagnosis is the approach to psychology that seeks to simultaneously address one mental health disorder while also addressing another. While this may sound rather intuitive, it is something that was surprisingly overlooked by many top psychologists throughout the 20th Century. Usually, at least one of the issues at hand will be a substance abuse disorder. However, the term is sometimes used to describe treatment addressing the existence of other co-occurring mental health issues as well (such as anxiety and schizophrenia, etc.). Dual diagnosis has made it possible for psychologists to not only address core and underlying issues more quickly, but to also create treatment outcomes that are more likely to be sustained over time.
Resolving the “Chicken or the Egg” Dilemma
You have probably heard the question, “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” by now. While this may be a fun philosophical thought experiment, its underlying principle can be applied to a wide variety of other aspects of life. In many instances, it can be very difficult to determine which variable is the cause and which variable is the effect.
There is ample evidence that most abusable substances (particularly alcohol, stimulants, and other depressants) can directly lead to the existence of chronic depression in both teens and adults alike. Because of this, the simultaneous existence of depression and a substance abuse disorder is incredibly common.
At the same time, many individuals who develop chronic depression “naturally” will attempt to self-diagnose and address their condition with a wide variety of substances, such as those mentioned above. This often prompts psychologists to ask themselves, “Is my client abusing substances because they are depressed? Or are they depressed because they are abusing substances?”
Inevitably, the relationship between these conditions can be incredibly complex. Dual diagnosis recognizes that both of these conditions may be contributing to and worsening the other. In order to achieve results that last, it will be imperative to take a step back and develop a much more comprehensive approach to treatment.
Addressing Overlapping Symptoms
Another reason why dual diagnosis may be necessary to treat depression in (at least some) teens is that many of the symptoms caused by a substance abuse disorder are also caused by the existence of depression.
These are just a few of the symptoms that can be found in individuals suffering from either (or both) conditions:
· Sudden lack of motivation—difficulty performing ordinary tasks ranging from doing homework to even getting out of bed in the morning
· Sustained periods of low-energy and low-mood
· Difficulties sleeping, eating, and drinking (water) in a healthy way
· Rapid cycling between emotions
· Patterns of self-harm, suicide ideation, attempted suicide
Naturally, all of these symptoms are things that no parent wants their teen to experience. Dual diagnosis is a much deeper, more profound approach to treatment that is more likely to effectively address core issues.
Creating Personalized, Comprehensive Treatments
From Sigmund Freud’s development of analytic psychology in the 1800s to various other industry revolutionaries throughout the 20th Century, there were many psychologists who—while their contributions to the field were indeed significant—seem to have been largely committed to finding a “one size fits all” approach to treatment. However, in a world that is as diverse and complex as the one that we currently live in, the need for personalized treatment is something that has become abundantly apparent.
The approach to treatment that will make the most sense for your teen will depend on their personal state of being, their reaction to certain medications, and whatever relevant mental health disorders may currently be at play (may be more than just two). The best teen treatment centers will be the ones that can effectively recognize which treatments will be appropriate for each individual that walks through their doors.
A Results-Driven Approach to Teen Psychology
Ultimately, the usefulness of dual diagnosis can be summed up in one word: results.
Both in theory and in practice, all teen psychologists ought to strive to use whatever treatment is most likely to yield results that last. By making an effort to understand each of the problems that are currently affecting your teen, the complex issues created by the co-occurrence of multiple mental health disorders can be effectively combatted. This is a vastly superior option to only going to a drug rehabilitation center or only occasionally speaking with a teen psychologist.
Conclusion
Both teen depression and teen substance abuse disorders can make life much more difficult. The road to recovery may take quite some time and will inevitably be quite challenging. However, whether you are a parent or teenager who is currently suffering, it is important to know that you are not without hope. The development and implementation of dual diagnosis has made it possible for teens with multiple mental health disorders (particularly, depression and substance abuse disorder) to begin getting the comprehensive treatments they deserve and continue striving to become the best versions of themselves they can possibly be.
