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You say, they hear: Part 2

This video demonstrates negative thinking and miscommunication in teen depression between a parent and their child, and reveals both their thinking.
26.8
Hi Jack. How are you doing today? Good. Good.
34.2
How do you think I’m doing? There’s obviously something wrong with me. Here we go again. What do I have to do to get through to him? You know, your mum and I were talking recently. We were saying you haven’t had any of your friends over recently. And you know, we haven’t given you a lift to Dan’s or Bob’s. Do you fancy going and seeing one of your mates? I’m fine. No?
64.5
I’m pathetic. I’ve got no friends. I wish I could just make him feel better. I mean, I could give you a lift today. I’ve got time. I’ll happily give you a lift.
80.2
I’m useless, a disappointment to both of you. I don’t know where the old Jack has gone. What about tomorrow? I’ve got time, actually, almost all day. In the morning or, well, you’re not gonna want the morning. You’re never up. But in the afternoon, I could give you a lift in the afternoon. I’ll just relax. I need my parents to get friends for me. I bet they wouldn’t want to see me anyway. Your mum and I were saying that we’re really, it’s really good that you can relax. But you don’t see your mates. You don’t help around the house. You don’t, I mean, your mum said your room looks like a bomb site. You need to tidy to your room.
138.5
Oh, come on.
142.4
I’m no good at anything. I’m messy and a waste of space.
148.5
Jack, you need to tidy your room. It’s fine. I can’t believe I just lost my temper with him. I don’t know what to do. This is hard. Dad’s losing his patience with me. What’s the point of me being here anyway? I’m a hopeless case.
180.6
You like this one?
191.3
I’m really doing such a bad job as a parent. It’s hopeless. Jack’s never gonna get any better. I think he doesn’t even like me anymore. Yeah. It’s never gonna get any better. Dad thinks I’m such a loser.

In this video, we watch the same scene again but this time from a different perspective. See how Jack and Pete speak to each other to demonstrate miscommunication (how they perceive the conversation differently) where their thoughts are revealed.

  • What did you make of Jack and Petes’ thoughts, and did anything surprise you?
  • Does this fit with your experiences of teenage depression?
  • Does this make you think differently and is there anything you would now do differently?

We welcome you to share your thoughts. However, we’d ask you to be extremely mindful about sharing sensitive and personal information about yourself or others that can be used to identify an individual. It’s essential for everyone to be respectful of fellow learners, particularly where opinions may be different from your own.

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Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People

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