Teens with Mental Health Needs: Effective Treatments and Support

Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders frequently manifest during the adolescent years. Providing timely support is crucial, as research from leading health organizations highlights the efficacy of various treatments (SAMHSA, 2020; NIH, 2021). This article explores evidence-based therapies, medication options, and the critical role of school and community support in promoting adolescent well-being.

Evidence-Based Therapies

Several therapeutic approaches have proven effective in treating mental health conditions in teenagers.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A highly effective treatment for anxiety and depression, CBT helps teens identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors (NIMH, 2016). A specialized form, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is the gold-standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where individuals gradually confront their fears without engaging in compulsive behaviors (Hofmann et al., 2012).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Designed for individuals with intense emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or suicidal ideation, DBT teaches skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness (Lynch et al., 2016).
• Family-Based Therapy (FBT): This approach is particularly effective for eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. FBT empowers parents to play an active role in their child’s recovery, helping them to restore healthy eating patterns and weight (Lock et al., 2010).
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A): IPT-A focuses on improving a teen’s interpersonal relationships and social functioning, which can be highly effective in treating adolescent depression (Mufson et al., 2004).

Therapy is no longer limited to traditional in-person sessions. Internet-based CBT has shown promise in treating depression and anxiety, providing accessible care from home (Andrews et al., 2018). Group therapy is another valuable option, especially for social anxiety, as it allows teens to practice social skills and receive peer support in a safe environment (NIMH, 2016).

Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Teens

For teenagers who require more structured support than weekly therapy but do not need inpatient hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer a valuable middle ground. These programs provide a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to care. Typically, teens attend a few hours of treatment per day, several days per week, allowing them to continue living at home and attending school. IOPs often include:

• Group Therapy: Led by trained therapists, these sessions address a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma. Group settings foster peer connection and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): IOPs frequently integrate these evidence-based therapies to help teens develop practical coping strategies and emotional regulation skills.
• Family Therapy: Family involvement is a cornerstone of effective adolescent treatment. IOPs often include family sessions to improve communication, address family dynamics, and create a supportive home environment for recovery.
• Skill-Building Workshops: These sessions teach practical skills such as stress management, problem-solving, and healthy communication.

Medication as a Treatment Option

In some cases, medication is used in conjunction with therapy to manage symptoms.

• Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help balance brain chemicals involved in mood and anxiety. They are often a first-line treatment for moderate to severe depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents (NIH, 2021).
• Anti-Anxiety Medications: For severe anxiety, medications like benzodiazepines or buspirone may be prescribed for short-term use. Beta-blockers can also be used to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart (NIH, 2021).
• OCD Medications: Medications, often combined with ERP therapy, can be crucial for managing the symptoms of OCD (NIMH, 2016).

All medication for young people should be administered under the close supervision of a qualified physician who can monitor side effects and ensure proper dosage.

The Role of Schools and Early Intervention

Schools are vital in supporting adolescent mental health. Programs that integrate group therapy or CBT into the school setting have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety (Wyman et al., 2010). School-based suicide prevention programs are also essential, as they teach students to recognize warning signs and access help (SAMHSA, 2020). Beyond addressing specific illnesses, promoting overall mental well-being through activities that support emotional health can have a significant positive impact on students’ lives.

Since most mental health conditions begin before age 25, early intervention is critical (NIMH, 2016). Providing accessible, non-judgmental services tailored to young people encourages them to seek help. Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is also paramount; educational programs can teach teens that mental health issues are a common and treatable part of life, encouraging more open dialogue and help-seeking behaviors.

New Dimensions Can Help

Mental health conditions often emerge during adolescence, and timely intervention is crucial for effective treatment. For teens needing more intensive support, the New Dimensions Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides a structured, multi-faceted approach that includes group therapy, family therapy, and skill-building groups, while allowing adolescents to attend school and return to their home in the evening. 

In some cases, when medication, such as antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs), anti-anxiety medications, and OCD-specific medications, are needed, New Dimensions provides psychiatrists and nurse practitioners to manage medication.  They work alongside the program therapists to coordinate treatment and medication under a physician’s supervision.

Early intervention and reducing the stigma associated with mental health encourages adolescents to seek help.  For a complimentary assessment for your teenager, call 1-800-685-9796 to make an appointment or go online at www.nddtreatment.com to learn more about our services.  There are no waiting lists and appointments can be made promptly, usually between 2-3 days at any of our three locations – Clear Lake, The Woodlands, and Katy.

References

• Andrews, G., Basu, A., Cuijpers, P., Craske, M. G., McEvoy, P., & Titov, N. (2018). The efficacy of internet cognitive behavioral therapy: A meta-analysis of the literature. Psychological Medicine, 48(4), 543-559.
• Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427–440.
• Lock, J., Le Grange, D., Agras, W. S., Moye, A., Bryson, S. W., & Jo, B. (2010). Randomized clinical trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(10), 1025-1033.
• Lynch, T. R., Chapman, A. L., Rosenthal, M. Z., Kuo, J. R., & Linehan, M. M. (2016). Mechanisms of Change in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(11), 1146–1165.
• Mufson, L., Weissman, M. M., Moreau, D., & Garfinkel, R. (2004). Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression in Adolescents. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61(6), 577-584.
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2016). Depression in Children and Adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/depression-in-children-and-adolescents
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
• National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Mental Health Information. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/health-information/mental-health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Mental Health Services for Youth. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/childrens-mental-health/programs-services
• Wyman, P. A., Brown, C. H., Inman, J., Cross, W., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Guo, J., & Schaffer, J. (2010). Randomized Trial of a Gatekeeper Program for Youth Suicide Prevention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(5), 785–798.