Depression & Anhedonia In Teens: The Blues, the Blahs & What to Do

Teen depression is a serious matter and understanding the difference between expected mood shifts in adolescence vs. signs of depression is a challenge that many families face—In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron unpack how parents can identify the signs of depression in teens and tweens, and what steps to take to provide meaningful support.

The conversation explores how to distinguish regular ups and downs from more serious struggles using the FID approach, how parents can talk to their children without judgment or pressure, and ways that parents can more strongly encourage getting help while maintaining their relationship. Dr. Allen and Dr. Caron also share practical strategies for behavioral activation, knowing when to seek professional help, and how to balance guidance with giving teens space to express themselves.

Together they explore:

• Key signs that suggest an onset of depression versus expected mood shifts in teens and tweens
• How parents can support without overwhelming
• Concrete ways to create a safe, steady, and supportive home environment
• The importance of self-care for parents supporting a struggling teen
• How to keep communication open and nurturing
• Strategies for taking a stronger approach to help your teen battle depression

Key highlights from this episode:

• 0:00 – A Key Symptom of Depression
• 02:17 – FID: A Strategy to Recognize Depression in Teens & Tweens
• 05:29 – Understanding Anhedonia
• 07:48 – Why Action Creates Motivation, (not the other way around)
• 08:23 – Behavioral Activation to Combat Depression
• 09:38 – Understanding the Difficulty Behind Depression
• 10:52 – Does this Boost or Drain your Teen?
• 11:40- Helping Teens Notice Boosts and Drains for Themselves
• 14:00 – Moving Beyond Curiosity- What To Do Now
• 15:00 – Parents’ Key Role
• 16:42 – Validate Feelings and Encourage Activation (with options)
• 19:04 – Protecting the Parent-Teen Relationship
• 22:41 – Irritability as a Symptom of Depression & the Impact on Parents
• 23:01 – Daily Strategies for Parents’ Self Care

If you’ve ever worried about your teen feeling down, isolated, or depressed, this episode will give you the tools to better understand what’s happening and how to respond with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

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