Reports keep coming about the rising number of teenagers who are experiencing symptoms of depression. We don’t know what’s causing their distress — theories range from school stress to social media to pessimism about the future. But we do know that when we see prolonged sadness or irritability in teenagers, when they stop taking interest in things they used to enjoy, it’s important to pay attention. We also know that there are several different kinds of treatments that can be effective.

This week we round up resources on treatments for depression. We take a close look at antidepressant medication, as well as several different kinds of cognitive behavior therapy that have been shown to be effective: DBT(dialectical behavior therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and behavioral activation, which uses activity to combat depression. We also explore the relatively new use of ketamine, the anesthesia (and party drug) that has been shown to alleviate symptoms when taken in a controlled setting, and TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate a brain region that is underactive in people with depression. They’re both relatively new but showing promise for kids whose depression isn’t relieved by other treatment.

— Caroline Miller, Editorial Director | ✉