241: Is My Teen Defining Herself by her "Depression"?

Here’s the good news: today’s tweens and teens talk openly about mental health. Here’s the not-so-good news, sometimes they inaccurately diagnose themselves or organize their emerging identities around a diagnosis. So what happens when your child insists they’re depressed, and you’re not sure whether it’s sadness, distress, or something more serious?

In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan unpack how to navigate these deeply sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity. You’ll learn how to validate your child’s feelings without reinforcing restrictive labels, and how to guide them toward healthier ways of understanding themselves.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- The key differences between sadness and depression

- How to validate your teen’s experiences while being mindful about diagnostic labels

- Why TikTok and peer culture are shaping the way kids talk about mental health

- How to help your child find belonging and identity beyond mental health labels

- The critical question every parent must ask if a child says they’re depressed

With warmth, expertise, and practical strategies, Lisa and Reena help you approach these moments with confidence and compassion so your teen feels heard, but not boxed in.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/

Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com

Episode keywords: teen mental health, depression, anxiety, parenting teens, TikTok labels

Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence