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

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 720 Ratings

🗓️ 14 October 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Dr. Lisa D'Amore, and I'm thrilled to share some exciting news.
0:05.3	Untangled, guiding teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood has just been re-released in a newly revised edition.
0:13.4	Lisa, this book is a total game changer for parents of teens.
0:17.1	You walk us through the seven developmental stages every girl goes through, helping us understand what's normal, what's not, and how we can support them every step of the way.
0:26.7	That's right, Rina.
0:27.7	And in this updated edition, I've added fresh insights and research to help parents navigate today's challenges, from social media to school pressures and more.
0:37.1	And though the book centers on raising girls, at least 80% of the content applies to all kids.
0:42.5	So if you're raising a teen or a preteen, this book is the guide that you've been looking for.
0:47.4	And of course, we'll continue to explore these topics on the Ask Lisa, the Psychology of Parenting Podcast.
0:53.3	So grab your copy of the revised Untangled today, and let's navigate this journey together.
0:58.7	Available, everywhere books are sold.
1:04.0	Tell me a parenting issue everyone struggles with with tweens and teens, but no one talks about.
1:09.5	Rina, I think a lot of people feel like they just don't know how to connect to their kid anymore.
1:15.3	I'm Rina Nainen, and welcome to Ask Lisa, the psychology of raising tweens and teens.
1:20.3	And I'm Dr. Lisa DeMore.
1:21.7	We bring you science-back strategies for managing anxiety, discipline, intense emotions, and more.
1:27.7	We decode tough parenting issues with tips you can use right now.
1:31.7	So subscribe to Ask Lisa the Psychology of Raising Twins and Teens and join our YouTube community today.
1:37.9	Just Google, Ask Lisa Podcast.
1:40.5	We're here to help you untangle family life.
1:46.0	Episode 241 is my teen defining herself by her depression.
1:57.2	It's full pumpkin spice season officially.
	...

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