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With appropriate assessment and treatment, children and
adolescents with depression can get significant relief from their symptoms.
It is common for children and adolescents to feel "down,"
discouraged, sad, or angry from time to time. These feelings are often appropriate
responses to upsetting events.
However, sometimes these feelings do not go away and begin to interfere with the child
or adolescent's day-to-day functioning and enjoyment of usual activities.
While depression has long been recognized as a serious condition for adults, we are now
increasingly aware of how depression in children and adolescents can affect their
development and functioning.
Signs of depression
Depression in children and adolescents is characterized by one or more of the
following signs or symptoms, which do not seem to improve over time:
- Persistent sad, anxious, irritable mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
- Constant decrease in energy (fatigue)
- An increase or decrease in sleep or eating routines
- Less enjoyment from usual social activities
- Suicidal thinking or behavior
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical complaints (such as stomach aches, headaches) that do not respond to treatment
- Reduced ability to function normally during events and activities at home or with
friends, in school, extracurricular activities, and in other hobbies or interests
These symptoms can be triggered by traumatic events or unexpected changes such as the
loss of a loved one, moving, parents' divorce, the arrival of a new sibling, and other
events.
When the signs of depression last up to two weeks, an evaluation with the child's
health care provider is recommended to make sure there is no physical illness. In
addition, a consultation with a mental health professional who specializes in treating
children might also be recommended.
What causes depression?
Depression is caused by a combination of factors that relate to a person's
physical health, life events, heredity, environment, inborn vulnerability, and biochemical
disturbance. Depression is not a passing mood, nor is it a condition that will go away
without proper treatment.
Although depression can be triggered by upsetting life events, many children and
adolescents are able to manage these situations without suffering any lasting effects.
Others, however, are more easily overwhelmed and have trouble coping.
What are the different kinds of depression?
There are many forms of depression that vary in intensity and
duration.
Major depression is marked by the intensity of several depressive symptoms
occurring over a two-week period. Major depression interferes with a person's ability to
enjoy once pleasurable activities.
Dysthymia is a milder but longer lasting form of depression characterized by a
negative, pessimistic outlook.
Bipolar disorder is a form of depression characterized by mood swings where both
"highs" and "lows" are experienced. This is rarely seen in children
under 12 and usually emerges in adolescence and early adulthood.
Can depression be helped?
Yes. Depression is a medical disorder that can be successfully treated by a
combined treatment approach using medicine, psychotherapy, and/or family intervention
based on the individual needs of the child or adolescent.
Often children and adolescents do not initiate the help-seeking process and need the
support and direction of their families, teachers, and friends.
How we can help
Assessment
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