Course: Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People

Emma had taken a really positive step in deciding to go to school. Despite this, she still found going to school very difficult and had a tough day. Her thoughts …

Automatic thinking is a very helpful way of making sense of everything that’s going on in the world. As we go through life we’re bombarded with information, from sounds, sights, …

Most research about depression has been carried out with adults. Because teenagers are obviously not the same as adults, the University of Reading has carried out research to see if …

We’re often not aware of the impact our feelings and behaviours have on each other, and because of this relationship, changing our behaviours can have a very big effect on …

We tend to easily notice how children develop physically on the outside – every year they need new clothes and shoes, and our photographs provide clear evidence of their many …

For the purposes of the course, we’ve produced a short simulated video to illustrate how a conflict in values caused problems for Jack and his parents when planning valued activities, …

Often there is a middle ground agreement that means both parents and teenager are happy. It’s important to remember that doing more of what matters to them is likely to …

To make a change in mood, you don’t need to make big changes in behaviour. Big changes are often so difficult to do we give up before we’ve even started, …

For depressed teenagers, even getting out of bed can feel like a marathon. Parents and professionals can help by encouraging every little non-depressed behaviour, to increase the amount of positive …

For the purposes of the course, and in order to give a better sense of what a typical Brief BA session might look like, we’ve produced a short simulated video …

Values are what we feel are personally important – what matters to us (rather than what matters to friends, family, or others around you). The aim behind changing behaviour in …

In Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), we use the following diagram to make sense of people’s experiences, and guide intervention. It’s assumed that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all related, and …

Our behaviour can change for many reasons, and reduction of activity or withdrawal from certain types of activities is common in depression. When you’re depressed everything feels much more of …

Many families will already have a well-established pattern around exercise and activity. Children and young people learn behaviours and attitudes about exercise that are largely based on what their parents …

In the next couple of Steps, we’ll highlight a range of techniques that can help to improve sleep. Sleep hygiene It’s important to establish a good routine and habits around …