Teen Depression and Anxiety Can Be Prevented: Stanford Developed Online Training Reduces Risk

Dec. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Contact:  Rhonda Shrader
Phone: (650) 941-6300                                  
Email: rhonda@thriveresearch.com

Bullying, depression and mood disorders are hot topics among teens and their families.  Widespread coverage of teen suicides as well as Demi Lovato’s recent hospitalization has made the issue more visible around dinner tables everywhere.

What’s not given equal weight is the fact that depression and anxiety can be prevented during the teen years, sparing individuals the lifelong consequences of a serious disorder.

Why does it matter?

The latest research indicates that 1 in 5 teens suffers from one or more mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Another study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that young adults (ages 18-25) suffer from mental illness at rates higher than the general population (30% vs. 20%).

If the initial disorder is undiagnosed or not treated effectively, 22% of teens will end up with a life-long disorder.  Experienced as an adult, mood disorders are severe enough to limit their ability to establish solid relationships and function in the workplace.

The good news is that depression and anxiety can be prevented.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been proven in numerous studies to be the most effective prevention technique.  In addition to prevention, CBT has been proven to reduce risk, even in the highest risk populations.

Other techniques with equally effective results include stress management with MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) as well as training to promote positive body image, emotion regulation, self-esteem, self-confidence, and others.

During the past decade, numerous studies show that CBT and other prevention techniques work equally well, if not better, when taught on the internet.

Companies such as Los Altos, California’s Thrive Research are building online programs, using the best results from research partners such as Stanford University’s Behavioral Sciences Department.

Says CEO Jonathan Golding, “Prevention is specialized; parents can’t teach this or do it alone--families would need to visit numerous specialists to find what we deliver in the privacy of your home, online and anytime.”

He adds, “Our programs are evidence-based—we focus on what has been proven to work. We make sure they’re engaging and fun, as well as effective. We know how to motivate kids and provide multiple ways to make the results stick.”

Available to consumers under the brand name “Progress”, Thrive’s programs are designed for teens and young adults who:
  * are at risk for a mood disorder (parent or sibling with a disorder)
   * have exhibited symptoms of a disorder
   * are currently managing a disorder (medication, therapy, counseling)

Progress program sets are assigned based on a detailed assessment of individual needs. Each Progress set features three multi-session programs that teach targeted behavioral techniques based on needs identified in the assessment.  Each program lasts about 8 weeks and lasts 30-45 minutes/week.  

Progress program sets can be used in conjunction with clinical treatment or as a standalone tool for risk reduction.  Risk reduction trials showed >25% reduction in risk for depression, anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders.

For more information and to see if Progress is right for your family, visit Thrive Research.

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Thrive Research produces online solutions to teach behavioral skills for adolescent wellness. Developed with Stanford's Behavioral Sciences Department, Thrive translates research into programs that help each child achieve his/her potential.