My son had depression and suicidal tendencies for years, along with a diagnosis of Asperger's (now known as ASD). He was truly struggling to connect with life, purpose, himself, or his family. Then he hit his teens and everything got worse. How could I get teenage depression treatment at home? Especially when it was complicated with neurodiversity? There was nothing that worked.
It was impossible to get support in school, and he often declined help from therapists after months of trying to get appointments. Personal development books and strategies were too advanced. As a parent, that is extremely frustrating, and puts us as parents, at risk of stress, overwhelm and depression along with our teenagers... but hold in there...
I found a way to help him change all that for the better - from home.
When I realised that my son was a Visual Learner, while most emotional support is spoken, I started developing a strategy to bridge the gap. I started mentoring him instead of parenting him. Here's why...
Emotions are this massively overwhelming invisible topic, that he just didn't understand. He was late teens and couldn't tell what day of the week it was, or guess measurements, so emotions were definitely beyond his scope. My question now was...
That was when I created the diagram of the emotional cycle, and began talking to him about his emotions in terms of colour, high & low, positive and negative, and about why he changes between emotions.
This simple strategy proved so successful with him, he was also helping his friends within a few weeks. Within days he was no longer suicidal, his emotional dysregulation began to settle, and he was looking forward in life. Over all it was a long journey, but there was progress from the outset and every step of the way. I just had to be consistent in using the strategy to support him.
I quickly realised I needed to continue developing this strategy and spent two years working on it. Then two years trying to break it, but it just grew!
In 2017 I bravely gave a TEDx Talk on Tackling Teenage Depression introducing the diagram of the Emotional Cycle. It set my intention to help going forward. To pay it forward and help others.
In December 2020, I finally published my first book - Brain Unchained. There was a gap as I had my own challenges, but my spark that drives me to complete this mission never dies.
The title Brain Unchained was chosen by my son, to reflect that part of the journey, when he realised that although he still had a way to go - he knew everything would be ok. He was no longer in a rut. He could see the light at then end of the tunnel, but he was in the tunnel, realising there was hope. That's the moment the title reflects. The moment his brain began to feel unchained.
Some teenagers will still require professional help and treatment for genuine mental health, but many can improve leaps and bounds, with the right Emotional Awareness Mentoring - with their parents help.
As a parent, you know your child best, so it makes sense to take matters into your own hands. To mentor them at the time it is relevant rather than weeks of months later, talking to a stranger.
for the price of a paperback book, you can work with them to create an emotional education that will last them a lifetime, create stronger resilience, and bring families closer than ever.
Find reviews for the book on this site at Brain Unchained
Buy now on Amazon: Brain Unchained
Two years later, my son said...
"Thank you for never giving up on me.
I now know why steel is forged in the fire.
The more you go through it the tougher you get."
When he said this, I knew that everything was going to be ok. I could breathe again.
Now I hope the book Brain Unchained can help you offer your own teenage depression treatment at home by using the same strategy to mentor them with Emotional Awareness. Strategies that are there at the time and place it is needed most. Your home.
