Depression and the Teenage Soul

There isn't a remedy for early teenage depression. Medication often complicates the issue while not dealing with the underlying causes. Leaving the child to their own devices may leave them open and vulnerable to negative peer influences. And, playing along with whatever a teen wants doesn't give them the firm guiding hand needed to help with help with readjustment.

Depression itself is a symptom, not a cause. The causes of depression go deep and have ties to past karmic conditioning. The experience of depression may be threefold:

1.    one's attention has gone away from the center of self;

2.    the unfolding spiritual development has been put on hold;

3.    finding the light in a sea of darkness may seem impossible.

Now, to the teenage soul life may seem obscure. When too many life challenges happen at once, how may one maintain a balanced center of self? It isn't always easy, but there is a solution:

1.    Love your teenager unconditionally - even when they are acting out of anger or engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

2.    Never give your power away to an outside authority. Teens are notorious for allowing themselves to think someone has done something to them when whatever is happening in a teen's life is best met by dealing with the inner causes.

3.    Find supportive people to help you. And, for those who are not supportive, help yourself and your teen find better avenues of influence. Don't take "no" for an answer.

Thinking for yourself is the best advice here.

Everyone, regardless of age, is empowered. Self-empowerment is the ability to see the expanding whole while acting upon the outermost ring of service available. This may seem earth-shaking to a teen because so much in life is about taking responsibility and growing into adulthood. Empowerment is the ability to ask questions about anything and everything and have the answers revealed. There aren't any true mysteries in life, only opportunities for personal growth and spiritual development.