"My Teenager is making me depressed."
It's a low point in a parent's journey when they admit something like this to themselves or loved ones.
Advice from mental health professionals is often akin to "put the oxygen mask on yourself, before you help your child."
Being a carer in any capacity takes its toll on you physically, mentally and emotionally, but where do you begin to give yourself support? We explore what Acupuncture may be able to offer parents that are exhausted and at a low point.
Parenting can be hugely rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Especially when dealing with a teenager, causes thoughts of "my teenager is making me depressed."
It's not easy! How do you keep yourself healthy, happy and well, when your teenager is dealing with their own mental and emotional challenges at school, dealing with bullying, social media, self esteem and more?
In Australia, parents have access to medical and allied health professionals as well as support networks to help themselves and their teens and cope.
Additionally, I wanted to ask the question, "What support can Acupuncture offer parents?" and explore the potential for managing their own stress, anxiety and depression associated with parenting teenage children.
The First Steps:
Parents of Teenagers Seeking Help - What to do?
- Reach Out to Your General Practitioner (GP): The first step for parents facing feelings of depression or stress, related to their teenager's behaviour, is to consult their GP. GPs can provide guidance, assess mental health concerns, and refer parents to appropriate mental health professionals if necessary.
- Access Mental Health Services: This includes psychologists, counsellors and social workers. Parents can access these services through private practitioners or public mental health clinics. Organisations like Beyond Blue and Headspace also offer resources and support for parents and teenagers feeling depressed.
- Use mental health care support lines via phone or online chats such as Lifeline, Mens Line Australia and Beyond Blue webchat.
- Consider Family Therapy: Family therapy can be beneficial for improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships within the family unit. Seeking the guidance of a family therapist can help parents and teenagers navigate difficult emotions and develop healthier coping strategies together.
- Connect with Parent Support Groups: Joining parent support groups or online forums can provide a sense of community and validation for parents who are also feeling depressed. Sharing experiences, tips, and resources with other parents can offer valuable support and reassurance.
- Explore Self-Care Strategies: Encourage parents to prioritise self-care that promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Engaging in regular exercise, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help parents manage stress and cultivate resilience.
Secondary Support:
Parental Self-Care: Acupuncture as an Adjunct Therapy
The heart of Acupuncture is about tailoring the treatment to your specific needs. You might be struggling with your own:
- Sleep issues
- Stress at work
- Extended family stress and dynamics
- Financial stress, living costs and bills
- Pain and injury, inflammation
- Your own medical appointments to deal with
How Acupuncture Can Assist Parents with Feelings of Depression, Stress, and Anxiety:
- Stress Reduction: Acupuncture helps the body's stress response by promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol levels. This leaves you feeling calmer and relaxed during and after each treatment, so use it as a periodic reset button or to get you through highly stressful times.
- Emotional Regulation: Acupuncture stimulates neurotransmitters and endorphins, the body's natural messengers and painkillers. This can help parents better cope with any feelings of anxiety and depression, frustration or anger.
- Improving Sleep Quality: Many parents experience sleep disturbances due to worry and anxiety about their teenager's well-being. Acupuncture has been shown to influence brain neuroplasticity (for change) and the parasympathetic nervous system - our "rest and digest" mode. This is perfect for rebooting your sleep routine and preparing the body for deep restful sleep.
- Muscular tension: We often carry pain or tension in our jaw, head, neck, shoulders, back and hips. These areas of the body all respond well to acupuncture by relaxing fascia and muscles.
Clinical Trials and Evidence: Supporting Acupuncture for Depression
You can read more about how Acupuncture is clinically backed up by evidence for 46 conditions including Depression (whilst on medication) and Anxiety here:
- https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-anxiety/
- https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-scientific-evidence/
Parenting a teenager can definitely be draining and it's essential for parents to also seek the support they need to navigate these challenges. If you or someone you know is saying "My teenager is making me depressed!", encourage them to take the first step. Reaching out to medical and mental health professionals, exploring self-care strategies, and considering adjunct therapies like acupuncture can make a big difference.
By creating a plan to also look after themselves, parents can look after their own capacity better.
References:
- Beyond Blue. (2022) https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/parenting/raising-a-teen
- Australian Government. (2022). Head to Health.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2021). Acupuncture: In Depth.
- MacPherson, H., Vickers, A., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for chronic pain and depression in primary care: a programme of research. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Further Reading on Depression and Anxiety support:
HSC Stress management for Teens
