Expert Depression Treatment in Malaysia

Depression

Seeing a loved one struggle with depression can be upsetting. You want to help them and make them feel better, but you know it isn’t as straightforward as that. Depression can make even the simplest of tasks feel like a challenge, and make everyday life difficult to get through without proper treatment. We know just how difficult it can be to try to break through those walls and give your child the support they need, but it’s important to remember that depression can be overcome.

At The Wave, we know just how complex depression is and will never treat young people like they’re a problem. There’s no need for them to feel any shame or guilt – remember, depression can stem from a variety of factors. This could be anything from the death of a loved one and moving house to traumatic experiences like abuse. Seeking treatment away from home can be daunting, but our compassionate care team will look after your loved ones every step of the way and answer any questions you might have.

We are here to help

The Wave Depression Admissions Team can be contacted on:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Depression
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01

What Is It and How Does It Work?

Treatment for Depression

The Wave is not a typical treatment center. In fact, we wouldn’t even class ourselves as a treatment center at all. We look at depression through a trauma lens, but also through the lens of being human. We all have basic needs and desires and for some of us, those are more difficult to access than others. That’s why we always strive to become guides, mentors, and extended family for our young people. We know that no two people are the same, so all treatment programs will be fully personalised to make sure everyone’s unique needs are met.

We don’t just provide medical treatment – we believe in treating the person as a whole. Alongside medication, we also offer a range of therapies and approaches designed to elevate wellbeing and overall health.

What Is Early Onset Depression and How Do We Treat It?

Early Onset Mood Disorders

Early onset mood disorders can be difficult to recognise for parents, families and educators, sometimes resulting in delayed diagnosis. Mood disorders can negatively affect daily living for young people and receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan make a huge difference to their lives.

Young people are being diagnosed with depression earlier than ever before. In fact, diagnosis of depression can be made from age of three. This maybe due to more open mental health dialogues or because life has become so much more hectic and complex for young people. Heavy social media use is known to increase the risk of both depression and anxiety in young people.

Depression increases the risk of self harm and death by suicide. Children and young people who are self harming or who have thought or talked about ending their life should be seen by a mental health practitioner urgently. If your child, teen or young person is harming themselves or you are concerned about suicide you should proceed directly to your nearest Emergency Room or Accident and Emergency Department and ask to speak with the On-call Psychiatrist. Parents – never ignore a suicide warning.

Spotting the signs of early onset major depressive disorder (MDD) in teens and young people is crucial for timely intervention and treatment. Early diagnosis and management can prevent the disorder from becoming more severe and debilitating, and can help young individuals lead happier, healthier lives.

Some of the signs are:

  • Sadness and irritability of more than two hours per day, even if there are brighter moments in the day.
  • Experiencing loss, grief, or trauma
  • Not enjoying activities or play, hanging out with friends
  • Feeling guilty or taking responsibility for things that are not their fault
  • Giving away possessions and belongings

Depression and mood disorders can seriously affect young people, and anyone experiencing them deserves recovery. Untreated or recurrent depression can negatively impact brain development and potentially lead to unfavourable long-term outcomes. The Wave specialises in treating mental health in young people, our team is experienced in diagnosing and treating depression and mood disorders using evidence-based and creative methods. We use the latest medication, pharmacological interventions and skills building to give young people the best chance for recovery and a positive long-term outcome.

Laying the groundwork for a bright life after recovery

The Seven Core Elements of Treatment

As well as aiding in healing, our programmes are also designed to develop new skills and arm young people with the tools to overcome depression and build for their exciting future. No two cases of depression are the same – that’s why we personalize each treatment plan to suit each person’s specific needs and goals. As part of our approach, we’ve developed seven core elements that make up every young person’s treatment program – each designed to nurture young people in all areas of their personal development.

The seven elements include:

Depression often impacts relationships and the way young people view themselves. They might feel guilty, ashamed, or even undeserving of treatment, so our clinical approach is designed to help them make peace with themselves. Working closely with a team of psychotherapists, young people will come to understand the root cause of their depression and that no one is to blame, especially not themselves. Therapy will also give them a chance to open up and talk about their emotions in a safe and supportive environment, instead of bottling everything up.

Some of our clinical treatment options include:

  • Family therapy
  • One-to-one therapy
  • Expressive arts therapy
  • Somatic therapy 
  • Self-love techniques
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Group therapy

Helping every person develop a sense of self-awareness, our clinical approach aims to give young people the tools needed to better regulate their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms in times of stress or worry.

Medical treatment is an essential component in combating depression. At The Wave, our resident medical director is responsible for the treatment plans of young adults in our care. We conduct most routine tests, including electrocardiograms (ECGs) and pathology on site, which is useful for monitoring the effects of medications and improving the efficacy of treatment. 

At The Wave, we also have access to the leading local hospitals if additional investigations and tests are medically required or to access specialties outside of our area of expertise. 

Though medication can be effective in the acute treatment of depression, we understand that teenagers and young adults react differently to medications. For this reason, medication for depression in young people is always used with appropriate care and caution. 

Throughout a young person’s time in our centre, we discuss any medication and changes to treatment plans with them and their parents and families where appropriate. 

We firmly believe that no young person should be left behind, and that’s why one of our seven elements is education. Without treatment, depression can make it difficult to focus at school and benefit from all the opportunities that are on offer. Young people might feel worthless or unable to achieve their goals. At The Wave, we understand these problems and work with those struggling from depression to let go of limiting beliefs and start building for their future.

Every young person has so much ahead of them, and we’re here to help them see their potential and realise their dreams. Alongside therapy and medical treatment, we provide a range of educational opportunities designed to bolster a young person’s confidence and skills for life outside of our clinic. Whatever their dream is, we’re here to help arm them with the tools needed to achieve it.

Some of the educational pathways we offer include:

  • International GAP-year experiences
  • Continuation of GCSEs and A-Levels
  • Vocational courses (London School of Art, Royal Horticultural Society, Leith’s School of Cookery, and The British Horse Society)

Each young person will have their own personal learning plan (PLP) to help them stick to their goals and set the foundations for a solid future. 

Depression often robs young people of hope and purpose, making them feel like there’s no point in working or developing on things in their life. That’s why we’ve developed our global citizenship programme – to give young people a chance to see just how impactful their actions can be. It’s a way for them to give back and support others in the community, effecting positive change while also helping to give them a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

With our global citizenship program, they’ll not only learn how to develop friendships and bonds, but they’ll also learn valuable skills like teamwork and the importance of helping others. Volunteering opportunities will also give young people a chance to reconnect with something they care about. If they feel strongly for a particular cause, our programme will help them nurture that care into something meaningful and positive. Having something that they deeply care about can help re-develop that sense of purpose and give them something to keep busy with once they leave the clinic.

Depression can be isolating and lonely, but our activity-based treatments encourage young people to build confidence in themselves, their strengths, and their ability to form healthy relationships. With our outside-inside approach, young people have the opportunity to grow and develop a bank of skills that can be used in their future. All these strategies can be used in times of stress, helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms in times of stress and worry.

We combine a range of creative and holistic treatments into each of our young person’s treatment plans, including:

  • Education on the food and body groups
  • Mindful movement
  • Tension, stress, and trauma release (TRE)
  • Reiki
  • Eating disorder informed yoga
  • Education on nourishment and healthy eating
  • Journalling and reflective writing
  • Team sports and group challenges

Well-being and physical health are often put on the backburner with depression, so our approach will give young people a chance to develop healthy habits and find ways to release their emotions. 

Depression can take the fun out of a lot of activities. It can make young people feel disconnected from those around them, isolated from normal social experiences. This is one of the reasons ‘experiences’ is a core component of our seven elements. We’ll help reconnect young people to fun and challenging experiences, cultivating a strong sense of accomplishment and team spirit. 

We don’t just focus on medical and clinical treatment – we’re also keen to get our young people involved in fun challenges and experiences that will empower them and help them learn new life skills.

All young people have the chance to take part in a range of experiences and exciting adventures, including:

  • Dance and drama productions
  • Fashion design 
  • Batik painting
  • Pottery
  • Horse riding
  • Jungle adventures
  • Orienteering
  • Rock climbing

Depression can often impact relationships and the way a young person approaches life. That’s why our ‘experiences’ element is designed to help bolster their confidence to try new things and give them a chance to develop team-building skills. 

Depression doesn’t have to rob a young person of their potential. They’ve got so much ahead of them, and we’re keen to help them realise their dreams and ambitions, giving them the tools and resources to set the cogs into motion. 

Our dedicated care team works with each young person to develop an ongoing plan that will help ease them back into everyday life and transition healthily. We know that leaving behind the security and familiarity of treatment can be a little daunting, but we’re here to help each young person develop a set of goals and plans to work towards their future with confidence.

Having some kind of purpose when they leave our clinic will help set them up for their future and limit the chances of them returning to old habits. With a renewed sense of hope and inspiration, they’ll be more likely to stick to their goals and go on to lead a fulfilling life.

“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”

Depression Treatment Options

Recovering from Depression

We strive to take all young people under our wing and provide them with a range of therapies and depression treatment options tailored specifically to their unique needs including:

One-to-One Therapy

Teenagers and young people diagnosed with depression benefit from one-to-one individual therapy. Individual therapy at The Wave features in every person’s weekly schedule as part of their treatment plan. Individual therapy can help young people feel seen and heard. It also provides them with a safe space to explore their feelings, reflect on their past, and understand any events or triggers that may contribute to feelings of low self-worth, anxiety, and depression.

During one-to-one therapy, our therapists help young people regulate their emotions and develop resilience and resources to use in their ongoing recovery. Self-harm and suicidal thoughts can also be shared to develop safety plans.

Family Therapy

Families are very important to the successful treatment of any young person. We work alongside the family to build treatment plans that will benefit the whole family system. We are able to refer parents to the best psychotherapists worldwide using our extensive network of trauma therapists, eating disorder specialists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and general adult therapists and psychiatrists.

We believe in the traditional approach of focusing on one family at a time, working together to achieve the desired outcomes. Our team takes the time to understand the family’s history, identifying patterns and dynamics that may be contributing to the current challenges. By understanding the family as a whole, we can provide solutions that address the root causes of the issues and help families to build stronger, healthier relationships. Through our family therapy, we empower families to overcome obstacles and achieve positive change, promoting long-term wellness and happiness.

Organic Garden Kitchen

Depression can be isolating and lonely, but our activity-based treatments encourage young people to build confidence in themselves, their abilities, and in their peer group. As part of our holistic approach to healing, we encourage our young people to grow and harvest organic fruits, flowers, and vegetables.

We use these products in cooking meals and as natural colours and fragrances for soap making. Gardening and cooking also bring a sense of achievement and develop a sense of community spirit. Our young people also have the opportunity to take part in certificate-based courses led by the wonderful team at The Royal Horticultural Society.

Frequently asked questions

Depression FAQ's

Sadly, yes. Globally, around 5% of adults suffer from depression. In teens and young people, “depression is estimated to occur among 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-14 years, and 2.8% of 15-19-year-olds.” Although this percentage may seem small, adolescents make up one-sixth of the world’s population.  

Approximately 7% of young people will be diagnosed with clinical depression by age 15, this rises to 12% in later adolescence.

In early childhood depression affects boys and girls in equal numbers. In the teen years, twice as many girls are affected by depression.

Young people who describe depressed episodes are at an increased risk of ending their lives by suicide. Suicide is the third leading causes of death in the 10-19 age group.

There is no single cause of depression. Triggers for clinical depression vary from person to person and contributing factors include:

  • Children of depressed parents have an increased risk of becoming depressed themselves. Scientists believe there is a genetic link.
  • Stressful life events can happen before the first episode of depression and again when depression reoccurs. This is especially seen in adolescent girls.
  • Young people who have lower levels of belief in their own competence to succeed.
  • Sleep problems
  • Young people with physical ill health
  • Young people who have previously been diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, PTSD. Trauma is linked to depression in young people.
  • Some medications
  • Substance Use (Alcohol and other drugss)

But remember, depression is not sadness. Many young people can have a good life and still suffer from MDD, whilst others are more prone to depression due to genetics. 

 

If a young person displays any signs of depression, it is important that they seek professional help and treatment. As a serious condition that requires treatment like any other illness, depression cannot be overcome alone. The best thing anyone can do for their depression is secure help as soon as possible.

Professional associations and memberships

We are here to help

Have any questions or want to get started with the admissions process? Fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

    Wave-Logo_square

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    London, United Kingdom