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There are many misconceptions about teen depression which leads to teens not getting the kind of help that they really need to get out of it. When depression is not treated or addressed, it can quickly get out of control and result to many terrible consequences, even suicide.

What probably makes it difficult for parents to realize that their teens are in a downward spiral of depression is that teens can naturally be quite moody and difficult to deal with. Some teens suffer in silence, and the parents are often the last ones to know that there's a serious problem going on. According to studies, only 20% of teen depression ever receive help, which is an alarming number considering that teenage suicide rates are climbing every year.

What troubled teeagers advice can parents use in order to tell whether their teen is just being a typical moody adolescent or whether he/she is already showing signs of depression? Here are a few signs that you should look out for:

• Expressing hopelessness or sadness
• Frequent emotional outbursts
• Catching your teen always crying by himself/herself
• Lethargy, fatigue, lack of energy or motivation
• Losing interest in activities
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Joking or talking about suicide or death
• A decline of grades

When untreated, teen depression can lead to a host of problems like flunking out of school, substance abuse, self-mutilation, reckless behavior, violence, bullying others, sexually acting out, eating disorders, and even suicide.

The signs that a teen is suicidal may often be subtle, which is why they are often not taken as seriously as they should be. It may be as simple as joking about death and dying, or saying that people would be better of without them, or that they would probably be more valued by other people if they were dead. It can be as subtle as talking to family members as if they were leaving or going somewhere. Some teens experiment with hurting themselves, seeing how far they can push themselves before they really commit suicide.

If you notice that your child is showing signs suicidal tendencies, it's better to err in the side of caution than to regret not doing anything to help your child overcome depression. Teenage depression and suicide attempts can give your child emotional scars that take a long time to heal.

When attempting to talk to a depressed teen, it's important that you verbally offer them unconditional support. Let them talk, give them a lot of opportunities to approach you and keep the door open for them. Don't trivialize their issues and don't respond to them with anger. Be gentle but firm about getting help. Realize that even if their issues are unreasonable in your eyes, it is very real in theirs. Take their pain and emotions seriously and they will feel less like they are alone in this emotional battle.

It's important to seek professional help when dealing with a suicidal child. One part of the strategy could be to use antidepressants, but one should not rely on medication solely. Consider other treatment options that may help your child finally break away from depression.