Childhood and Teen Depression

CHILDHOODAND TEENDEPRESSION A P A R E N T H A N D B O O K

Find out how to get help for your child or teen

Somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of our children and teens will suffer from at least one depressive episode before they reach adulthood. These episodes come in many forms—ranging from the child who doesn’t want to go to school to the teen who is constantly in a rage to the withdrawn child who barely speaks.

Often, these episodes are seen as just a phase, or typical behavior, but depression, clinical depression, is not part of typical behavior—it is a disorder that deserves attention and needs treatment.

Most children and teens who suffer from depression go undiagnosed and untreated. Many parents don’t know the signs of depression or where to turn for help, and, if they reach out for help, they often become frustrated trying to find it. Understanding exactly what’s going on with your child, finding the right treatment, dealing with the schools—all have their unique challenges and can deplete the energy of even the most dedicated parent.

Taken from: Erika’s Lighthouse , a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about childhood and teenage depression and mental health.

There is a lot of stigma attached to having depression— as a society we just don’t like to talk about it. We feel guilty and ashamed—about having it, even about having it in our family. But the simple fact is that depression is an identifiable and observable disorder with specific symptoms and, like any physical illness you or your child might have, depression should be treated.

EXACTLY WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

First and foremost, depression is a medical term that defines a specific disorder of the brain. It’s more than just a sad or depressed mood, which all of us feel from time to time.

Depression, called Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorder by mental health professionals, is a sustained depressed mood, feeling of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, sense of worthlessness and/or guilt, and difficulty with concentration, thinking and making decisions.

Some people with depression, especially teens, feel irritable as well. Cognitive symptoms (a drop in grades or difficulty paying attention or making decisions) often appear first.

Frequently, and especially in children and teenagers, these psychological symptoms are accompanied by physical symptoms which can include agitation, fatigue, changes in sleeping patterns, appetite and/or weight, slowed speech and movement, headache, stomach-ache and other aches and pains.

Some depressions are mild and one can function somewhat normally. Some are severe, limiting even the most routine daily activities or leading to thoughts of death or attempts at suicide.

WHERE TOBEGIN

Y O U A R E N O T A L O N E

It’s normal for parents who think their child is suffering from depression to wonder whether they should just wait and see or whether they should seek help.

The symptoms of depression are often evident, but sometimes they can be vague and confusing. Both children and their parents often ask themselves: is this depression or just a phase? Sometimes children and teens hide their feelings from their parents and even from themselves.

If you think something is amiss, trust your instinct. If you are unsure, ask a close friend or family member their opinion. The bottom line is, don’t hesitate. It’s better to err on the side of caution than to wait—and possibly watch your child become increasingly depressed. Increasingly severe depression can be serious.

YOUR FIRSTPHONE CALLSHOULD BE TOYOUR CHILD’SPHYSICIAN.

Your first phone call should be to your child’s physician. Why?

Family physicians see thousands of children over their years of practice and are good at determining whether or not there is an issue that needs treatment.

The physician should ask to see your child for a physical examination and to run some tests to make sure that nothing else is wrong; some illnesses, like diabetes, thyroid disease and adrenal gland disease, can act like depression and need to be ruled out.

Is this an emergency?

If your child is in imminent danger of hurting himself or another person, is hearing voices, or is seeing things that aren’t there, he may need an immediate evaluation at a hospital. Either go directly to your hospital or call 9-1-1 for help. Call your child’s physician and/or therapist on the way to the hospital to tell her what’s going on and get her advice.

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