Reversing the Spiral of Depression for Teens: Simple Actions to Improve Your Mood, Boost Motivation, and Build the Life You Want

Depression is just part of being a teenager, right?

A global pandemic. Climate change. Cyberbullying. Racial violence. War. Not to mention school, money, relationships, social media, parental expectations, and pressure, pressure, pressure. Our world and our minds can be pretty dark places, and you’re not alone if you’re struggling or feeling stuck. But what if you could stop that spiral of depression and reverse it? You may not be able to change the world around you, but you can change how you respond to it.

Written by a clinical psychologist specialising in adolescent mental health, this engaging guide offers an array of prompts, quizzes, exercises, and other activities you can use to jumpstart your motivation and turn destructive thoughts and behaviours into positive outlooks and actions that lead to a more promising future. Combining new research in neuroscience with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and behavioural activation, the activities in this guide will help you understand and identify:

• What depression is, what causes it, and why is it so prevalent in teens?
• Why you? What specific conditions in your life, your brain, your body, and your experience are making you feel this way?
• Why managing stress is a much better coping strategy than trying to avoid it
• Small, no-pressure steps you can take to start rebuilding motivation (and why doing stuff is better than not doing stuff)
• How to set, reach, and build on healthy, realistic goals that leverage your unique strengths

If you’re ready to reverse the spiral of depression and start living the fun and engaging life you deserve, this activity book can help you get started. So, grab a pencil, get comfortable, and let’s do this.

"Amy Mezulis is a brilliant psychologist and scientist who brings her talents to bear in this important and practical book to help teens help themselves out of depression. In plain, accessible language, Mezulis explains what depression is, and offers dozens of actions—many of them low cost or no cost—that teens can take to work out of a downward spiral of depression."
- Janet S Hyde, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Gender and Women’s Studies, University of Wisconsin

"Having witnessed the devastating impact of depression on adolescents in my personal life, I am thrilled to endorse this resource. Mezulis presents evidence-based, psychoeducational information in a manner that is ‘right-sized,’ accessible, and engaging. She then integrates it into interactive exercises that will equip teens with tools for recovery and coping. Reversing the Spiral of Depression for Teens is an invaluable tool for teens, clinicians, and parents."
- Lynette H Bikos, PhD, ABPP.