loader from loading.io

Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Release Date: 03/04/2025

Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy show art Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are excited to have Samantha Levy, PhD join the show again this week to discuss Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Dr. Samantha Levy is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders. She uses a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional struggles, working with children, families, and parents to help them align the mind and body for improved functioning. Dr. Levy also runs parent groups, writes a parenting blog for , and works as a psychologist for Whole Child LA. Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which often...

info_outline
Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner show art Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by . Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, , explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age. In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in...

info_outline
Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh show art Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we are happy to have Dr. Chandni Singh on the show. Dr. Singh is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing evidence-based assessments and tailored treatment recommendations, and she strongly focuses on serving culturally and ethnically diverse communities. At West LA Neuropsychology, PC, she specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for young children and comprehensive assessments...

info_outline
Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon show art Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we welcome Shelley Woon to the conversation. Shelley is a dedicated educator and school leader with over three decades of experience supporting students, families, and staff in overcoming learning challenges. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership, has specialized qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and serves as Head of School at and Superintendent of Special Education. Shelley values the brain-learning connection and is committed to helping others unlock their potential. Shelley joins us to explore how we can move beyond compensatory strategies...

info_outline
Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D. show art Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Following up on last week’s episode, we are joined once again by , M.D. to further discuss the complex issue of medicating children with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and if you missed part 1 of the discussion, be sure to go back and listen to that before diving into part 2! In this continuation of our discussion, Dr. Steinberg sheds more light on the approach that is required when considering medication, stressing that a thoughtful evaluation is important before immediately jumping to medical solutions. Dr. Steinberg offers some insights into the FDA-approved medications,...

info_outline
Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D. show art Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by , M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia. Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents...

info_outline
Ep. 222: Wildfires and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact and Strategies for Recovery with Dr. Jyoti Mishra show art Ep. 222: Wildfires and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact and Strategies for Recovery with Dr. Jyoti Mishra

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined for this episode by Dr. Jyoti Mishra to help us discuss an incredibly important and timely topic - the impact of wildfires on mental health.  Dr. Mishra is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, the founder of NEATLabs, and co-director of the UC-wide Climate Change and Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Mishra specializes in climate trauma, resilience, digital health interventions, and precision psychiatry, with her work featured in major media outlets like CNN, TIME, and NPR. In this episode, we explore how natural disasters (such as the recent wildfires in...

info_outline
Ep. 221: Would a Behavioral Aide/Shadow Help My Child? show art Ep. 221: Would a Behavioral Aide/Shadow Help My Child?

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week,  joins us to talk about the role of behavioral aides or "shadows" in schools, focusing on how they help children with unique behavioral challenges thrive in the classroom. Lisa is a board-certified behavior analyst with a master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and more than a decade of experience in private practice. She provides 1:1 support for children and teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges, along with parent coaching. In this episode, we dive into the types of challenges that might indicate a need for a behavioral aide, such as social conflicts,...

info_outline
Ep. 220: How to Support Children and Teens with Chronic Pain with Dr. Samantha Levy show art Ep. 220: How to Support Children and Teens with Chronic Pain with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Dr. Samantha Levy joins us this week to discuss the challenges of supporting kids with chronic pain. Samantha is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders, using a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional challenges. She also supports parents through individual sessions, group facilitation, and a parenting blog for , while working with Whole Child LA. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of chronic pain and explore its neurological nature and the effects that it has on one's body, mind, and family dynamics.  Dr. Levy explains...

info_outline
Ep. 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers with Natasha Gray show art Ep. 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers with Natasha Gray

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week, we discuss the complexities of dysgraphia, a neurodevelopmental disorder that can greatly affect written expression.  We are joined by Natasha Gray, founder of in the Caribbean. We unpack dysgraphia and what it is and highlight its varied types and how it often overlaps with other challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia. Natasha explains the different ways that dysgraphia can manifest and discusses some of the warning signs such as illegible handwriting, avoidance of writing tasks, and challenges with spelling and spacing. Natasha also shares her insights into the neurological...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

We are joined this week by Dr. Meredith Gansner. Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, Teen Depression Gone Viral, explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age.

In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in teens, something that has been on the rise especially in today’s digital age. She sheds some light on how adolescent depression often looks different from adult depression, sometimes showing up as irritability, aggression, or even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach pain. She helps us break down why it’s so important for parents to recognize these signs early on and seek professional support instead of just dismissing them as typical teenage behavior.

Dr. Gansner also examines the relationship between social media and mental health. While some teens find support online, others are exposed to harmful content that can reinforce unhealthy coping mechanisms and worsen or even cause poor mental health. She offers some practical advice on improving digital media literacy, setting boundaries, and developing safety plans to help young people engage with the internet and social media in a way that is not detrimental to their well-being.

Dr. Gansner also discusses effective treatments for teen depression, stressing a multi-faceted approach including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication when appropriate. She also clarifies the differences between suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-injury, offering guidance on how parents and caregivers can respond with the right level of support. With a focus on family-based strategies, this conversation with Dr. Meredith Gansner helps provide insightful information for anyone looking to strengthen emotional resilience in today’s teenagers!

 

Show Notes:

[2:13] - Dr. Gansner reflects on initially feeling optimistic about addressing mental health in youth online but grew frustrated.
[5:56] - The youth mental health crisis peaked during COVID and remains a pressing issue.
[6:23] - Depression is a physiological illness with many contributing risk factors.
[8:03] - Teen depression often manifests as irritability or anger, making it harder for parents to recognize.
[11:29] - Some children with depression experience physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
[13:08] - Hear about the inspiration behind the title of Dr. Gansner’s book.
[15:53] - Social media spreads both helpful and harmful information about depression, requiring careful oversight and guidance.
[18:32] - Social media can both support and worsen teens' mental health, creating harmful echo chambers.
[19:26] - Dr. Gansner feels that rather than banning social media, teaching digital literacy can help children take on harmful content.
[21:40] - Teaching teens responsible internet use with guidance, like learning to drive, helps ensure safer engagement.
[24:43] - What are some of the best ways to treat depression in teens?
[27:31] - Parents often struggle to differentiate suicidal thoughts from non-suicidal self-injury in teens.
[28:05] - Dr. Gansner explains that non-suicidal self-injury involves self-harm without suicidal intent, often as a distress signal or coping mechanism.
[31:21] - Simply telling teens to "just stop" self-harm can lead to shame, worsening depression and leading to a harmful cycle.
[33:17] - Improving sleep is important for teens' emotional resilience, helping prevent impulsive decisions and risky behaviors.
[36:58] - Parents limiting their own screen use helps depressed teens feel supported and less isolated.
[38:38] - Be sure to get Dr. Gansner’s book at a discounted price here!


Links and Related Resources:

 

Connect with Us:

 

Connect with Dr. Meredith Gansner: