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Childhood Depression

Childhood Depression

Depression in children has dramatically increased in recent years with approximately 3 to 5 percent of preteens and up to 15 percent of teenagers suffering from depression.

The good news is that awareness and intervention from parents or other adults can help children with depression live normal, happy, functioning lives.

What is childhood depression?


Depression is a medical condition that can affect brain chemistry. It is important to understand that your child, or anyone with depression, cannot just "snap out of it" or will himself to feel better.

A child with depression typically feels a constant sense of discouragement, a loss of self-worth and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or even years.

Depression is typically marked by a long-term change in mood, personality or behavior. "Any child can have a bad day or two, but depression is a persistent change," says William R. Beardslee, M.D., psychiatrist-in-chief at Children's Hospital Boston.

Why children become depressed

While no single theory completely explains the increase of depression in children, Dr. Beardslee believes it is due to the way our society has changed. "We are a highly mobile, less family-oriented society today," he says.

For both children and adults, the weakening of family bonds can contribute to depression. Even more than adults, children are affected by events such as the death of a loved-one, break-up of a relationship, or a parent's divorce.

Another contributor to depression for children can be a child's failure to accomplish tasks, such as learning to read, or keep up with peers in other activities.

The stresses of today's world can push kids beyond unhappiness, to a point where life becomes overwhelming and hopeless. But despite the underlying cause, your child can be helped.

"There's every reason to be positive," Dr. Beardslee says. "Despite how bad a situation might be, there is always hope for kids and for their parents."

Ratios of Depression in Children
Preschoolers: Depression is rare
Elementary school age: Boys are three times more likely to be depressed than girls
Age 14 and up: Girls are twice as likely to suffer from depression as boys (similar to the rate of depression in adults)
Source: "Out of the Darkened Room: When a Parent Is Depressed: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family" by William Beardslee, MD, (Little, Brown. 2002).


Diagnosing depression in your child

As a parent, you shouldn't have to try to be a doctor and diagnose your child. But you can be aware of changes you see in your child's behavior, mood and level of interest in their usual activities.

When diagnosing depression, doctors look for a set of symptoms that occur together. Parents should use this same criteria because being aware of these symptoms can help your family know if your child is having a normal reaction to a difficult situation or if he is experiencing clinical depression.

Symptoms of depression

Core symptoms:
  1. A persistent sadness
  2. A persistent loss of pleasure in almost all activities
Associated symptoms:
  1. Loss of energy
  2. Loss of appetite (or increase)
  3. Changes in sleeping patterns
  4. Agitation or irritability
  5. Feelings or worthlessness or excessive guilt
  6. Indecisiveness
  7. Wanting to die
One or both of the core symptoms must persist for at least two weeks to constitute a formal diagnosis of depression. Major depression is when one or both of the core symptoms persist for at least two weeks along with five of the associated symptoms.

If the symptoms are due to substance abuse, a medical illness, or grief over a recent loss, they usually are not a sign of depression.

Diagnosing Depression
Depression One or both of the core symptoms must persist for at least two weeks
Major Depression One or both of the core symptoms must persist for at least two weeks along with five of the associated symptoms
Source: "Out of the Darkened Room: When a Parent Is Depressed: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family" by William Beardslee, MD, (Little, Brown. 2002).


How to help your child

A diagnosis of depression can be helpful because it allows a child to get the treatment he needs, and assures him that he is not totally unique or alone in how he is feeling.

If you suspect your child is depressed, there are two things you can do:
  1. Ask your child questions. Ask your child directly about his or her feelings. Also, look at what has been happening in his life, particularly losses, setbacks, and how he perceives himself.
  2. Schedule an evaluation with a professional, either your pediatrician or a psychologist.
Important: If a child ever talks about or shows signs of hurting him or her self, get professional help immediately.

Treatment

Cognitive or "talking" therapy with a counselor or psychologist should always be part of treatment for depression. Often this is all that is needed. Therapy focuses on identifying and working through difficult relationships and situations, improving a child's view of herself and her environment, and teaching ways to cope.

Sometimes antidepressant medications are necessary if a child's depression does not improve with therapy. Extensive studies have been done regarding the safety and effectiveness of antidepressant medications in children. Prozac and other medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to be safe in most studies and can be effective for teenagers, but should be carefully monitored by the prescribing physician. Prozac is the only SSRI currently approved by the FDA for pre-teens.

Research on antidepressant medications for children is on-going. More studies are needed to fully answer which medications are safe and effective for which types of depression in children.

If a child's depression is particularly severe, debilitating or self-endangering, hospitalization may be required.

Family Involvement

An important component to treatment, according to Dr. Beardslee, is support from family. Children who know their family supports and cares about them are usually more resilient through life's difficulties.

When a child is receiving treatment for depression, parents should have an opportunity to voice their concerns and have their questions answered. Some therapists schedule family counseling for all family members when they are working with a depressed child. This can be an opportunity for parents to work through their feelings about their child's depression.

What else parents can do

Since depression affects the whole family, it's important that families communicate. Talk calmly with your child about how he is feeling. It's important to let your child know he is not to blame for his depression. Be sure your child understands that getting treatment for his depression is not a punishment.

Explain depression to your child and let him know that you will help him through it. Children are usually less afraid when they understand what is going on and what actions are going to be taken. Help your child understand that his depression will not last forever.

Never worry that asking your child about depression or suicidal thoughts will suggest the idea to him. Talking helps every situation and it is encouraged. If a child is depressed, talking about it usually reassures him that he is not alone.

Source: Dr. William R. Beardslee is the Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Children's Hospital Boston and the Gardner/Monks Professor of Child Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of When a Parent Is Depressed: How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Depression in the Family . (Originally titled Out of the Darkened Room: When a Parent Is Depressed: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family).

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