Treatment of Teen Depression
Certain limitations exist for treating a teenager with depression, as antidepressants can have a variety of adverse side effects. Potential side effects include weight gain, fatigue, sleep disorders, sexual problems, nausea, and headaches. In addition, there is an FDA black box warning attached to antidepressants regarding increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in patients under age 24.
While prescribing antidepressants to a teen may be a necessary intervention that yields successful results, many doctors prefer to try other treatment methods first. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a first line treatment for teen depression, provided in both individual sessions and group therapy sessions. Certain types of therapy work best for teens, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and process-oriented therapy. Therapy can help the adolescent identify the issues that are causing the depression, as well as help them establish new ways of coping with psychosocial stressors so common during the teen years.
What is Teen Depression Rehab?
A residential teen depression treatment program is an excellent option for a teen who has not responded to the treatment interventions and whose depression is worsening. A teen depression rehab allows the teenager to live in a safe, supportive, and stress-free environment for a period of time. During their stay, the teen will engage in more intensive, targeted therapies.
In addition to the traditional individual and group therapy that is provided, a residential rehab geared toward teens will also offer a host of adjunct therapies that have been shown to resonate with adolescents. These might include equine therapy, where the teen spends time caring for a horse, art and music therapies, yoga, meditation, and even surf therapy.
Teen Treatment Programs
Acute Stabilization
When a teen experiences a sudden psychiatric or drug-related crisis that can bring about significant impairment in function, or even be life-threatening, acute stabilization services are required. Acute stabilization involves integrated medical and psychiatric interventions provided in a medical environment on a short-term basis that are adjusted to the level of the specific emergency—mild, moderate, or severe.
Primary Mental Health
When a teen is struggling with a mental health condition it can profoundly impact all aspects of their lives. Getting professional treatment for an adolescent experiencing mood disorders or psychiatric distress is imperative in order to restore healthy functioning. Residential treatment allows the time and space for real change to occur within a safe and supportive treatment environment.
Dual Diagnosis
When a teen struggles with both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a co-occurring mental health disorder it is termed Dual Diagnosis. Both disorders must be treated in a coordinated manner for a successful recovery outcome. A skilled psychotherapist can guide the teen towards exploring underlying emotional pain to help understand the contributing factors toward both the SUD and the accompanying depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other mental health disorders. Only by examining the whole psychological picture can an effective, individualized treatment plan be developed.
On-Site Academic Support
While seeking treatment is the top priority, it is also important that an extended absence from school does not negatively impact the teen’s academic progress. During the residential treatment period, the adolescent will continue to engage in their studies with the assistance of the BNI case management and treatment team coordinating with the school representatives and parents. During treatment the student may require additional assistance with their schoolwork. To aid with this, BNI Treatment Centers provides on-site tutors as well as computer stations for the teen’s school use while in treatment.
Getting Your Teen Treatment
BNI Treatment Centers for Teens is a comprehensive residential behavioral health treatment program for ages 12-17. BNI is dedicated to empowering teens who are struggling in various facets of their lives due to their specific conditions or issues. The treatment team develops individualize treatment plans to overcome these challenges to get their lives back on a positive trajectory.
The compassionate clinical team at BNI recognizes the unique struggles associated with the teen years that may culminate in social problems, high-risk behaviors, substance abuse, mood disorders such as anxiety or depression, or legal problems. The BNI clinical treatment team works with the teens using the treatment modality that is best suited to treat their unique condition or issues.
The inpatient program at BNI encompasses all treatment elements, including individual and group therapy, family therapy, nutrition, and experiential therapies. BNI utilizes evidence-based approaches, those treatment modalities that have been scientifically tested and proven to be effective, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy (MBCT), psychodynamic therapy, and solution focused brief therapy (SFBT).
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Meet Our Doctors
Arastou Aminzadeh, M.D.
Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh or Dr. A as most teens refer to him, has been working in variety of clinical settings for the last 20 years. He is well respected nationally for his expertise in Addiction medicine and treating adolescents. Dr. A is a triple board certified physician in psychiatry, Child and Adolescent psychiatry and Addiction medicine.
Oliver Ahmadpour, M.D.
Dr. Oliver Ahmadpour is an adult and child psychiatrist with nearly four decades of experience in the field of medicine with an M.D. degree from Sweden, where he practiced as an Internal Medicine physician. In the U.S. he completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology at UCSD, and his Residency and Fellowship in Adult, Child, and adolescent Psychiatry at USC Keck School of Medicine.
Safe & Monitored Environment
Our Treatment Facilities
BNI Treatment Centers for Teens is located in Southern California. The BNI residential facilities are top of the line, luxury accommodations set in a safe, secure, and private location. Your teen will be cared for with the highest standard of care, including meals, amenities, and an expert staff and nursing that is available 24/7.
Questions? Call us today!
