Children and Depression

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Children and Depression

• Information and Prevention

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Training Objectives

• Identify what depression is, as well as its many
  forms.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of depression.
• Recognize the causes of depression.
• Identify things parents or caregivers can do when
  they suspect a child has depression, and ways to
  help a child who is depressed.

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What is Depression?

• According to the National Institute of Mental
  Health (NIMH), depression is a serious medical
  condition. It is not feeling sad for a few days,
  but rather it is feeling "down, "low" and/or
  "hopeless" for weeks at a time.

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Forms of Depression

• According to the NIMH, depression can take many
  forms.
• Major depressive disorder or major depression, is
  characterized by a combination of symptoms that
  interfere with a persons everyday activities
  eating, working, and sleeping. It is disabling
  and prevents a person from functioning normally.
  A major depressive episode may occur only once in
  a persons lifetime or it recurs.

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• Dysthymic disorder is also called dysthymia. It
  is characterized by long-term (2 years or longer)
  but less severe symptoms that may not disable a
  person, but can prevent them from functioning
  normally or feeling well. One or more episodes of
  major depression may also be experienced.

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• There are other forms of depression that have
  different characteristics than major depression
  or dysthymia.
• Psychotic depression occurs when severe
  depressive illness is accompanied by some form of
  psychosis, such as a break with reality,
  hallucinations and delusions.

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• Postpartum depression occurs when a new mother
  develops a major depressive episode within one
  month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to
  15 percent of women experience postpartum
  depression after giving birth.

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• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is
  characterized by the onset of a depressive
  illness during the winter months, when there is
  less natural sunlight. The depression generally
  decreases or lifts during spring and summer. SAD
  may be effectively treated with light therapy,
  but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond
  to light therapy alone. Antidepressant
  medication and psychotherapy are also normally
  used in treatment.

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• Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive
  disorder, is not as common as major depression or
  dysthymia. Bipolar disorder is characterized by
  cycling mood changes. Changes can include
  extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows
  (e.g., depression).

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Depression in Children

• According to WebMD, children can be sad without
  having depression. When the sadness becomes
  persistent or disruptive behavior occurs that
  interferes with normal social activities,
  interests, schoolwork, or family life, these may
  be indicators a child is depressed.
• Symptoms of depression vary in each child. The
  primary symptoms of depression revolve around
  feelings of sadness.

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Signs and Symptoms of Depression

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) lists
  the following as signs of early on-set
  depression
• Persistent hopelessness and sadness
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Missed school or poor school performance

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• Increased irritability or agitation
• Indecision, lack of concentration or
  forgetfulness
• Poor self-esteem or guilt
• Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches
  and stomachaches
• Lack of enthusiasm, low energy or low motivation
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Thoughts of death or suicide

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Facts About Depression in Children

• According to Kids Health, in the United States,
  depression is the most common mental health
  disorder. Each year it affects 17 million people
  of all age groups, races, and economic
  backgrounds.
• As many as 1 in every 33 children may have
  depression in teens, that number may be as high
  as 1 in 8.

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Causes of Depression

• According to Kids Health, there are many causes
  of depression.
• Genetics is one cause. Research has shown that
  depression can run in families however, not
  everyone who has the genetic makeup for
  depression gets depressed. Many people who have
  no family history of depression have the
  condition. So although genes are one factor,
  they aren't the single cause of depression.

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• Life events is another cause of depression. The
  death of a family member, friend or pet can go
  beyond normal grief and sometimes lead to
  depression. Other difficult life events, such as
  when parents divorce, separate or remarry, can
  trigger depression. Even events like moving or
  changing schools can be emotionally challenging
  enough that a person becomes depressed.

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• Family and social environment can also cause
  depression. Some teens may be experiencing a
  negative, stressful or unhappy family atmosphere.
  This can affect their self-esteem and lead to
  depression. High-stress living situations can
  also lead to depression. These include poverty,
  homelessness and violence in the family,
  relationships or community.

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• Substance use and abuse also can cause chemical
  changes in the brain that affect mood. Alcohol
  and some drugs are known to have depressant
  effects. The negative social and personal
  consequences of substance abuse also can lead to
  severe unhappiness and depression.

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• There are medical conditions which may also be a
  cause of depression. Some medical conditions can
  affect hormone balance, resulting in a change in
  mood. Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism,
  are known to cause a depressed mood in some
  people. When these medical conditions are
  diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression
  usually disappears.  

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• For some teens, undiagnosed learning disabilities
  might block school success, hormonal changes
  might affect mood, or physical illness might
  present challenges or setbacks.

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If You Suspect Your Child Has Depression

• According to Kids Health, depression can be
  successfully treated in more than 80 of people
  who have it however, if depression goes
  untreated it can have deadly effects. It is the
  number one cause of suicide.

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• Depression can be treated with psychotherapy,
  medicine or a combination of therapy and
  medicine. A psychiatrist can prescribe medicine,
  and although it may take a few tries to find the
  right drug, most people who follow their
  prescribed regimen eventually begin to feel
  better.

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The First Step

• According to Kids Health, a parents first
  consultation should be with their child's doctor.
  The doctor will probably perform a complete
  examination to rule out physical illness.

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• If depression is suspected, the doctor may make a
  referral to a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who
  can make a diagnosis, offer treatment and
  prescribe medicine), psychologist (a health
  professional who can diagnose and treat
  depression, but is unable to write
  prescriptions), or licensed clinical social
  worker (a person who has a degree in social work
  and is qualified to treat childhood depression).

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More Tips for Parents and Caregivers

• According to the National Alliance on Mental
  Illness (NAMI), there are many things parents can
  do to help a child who has depression.
• Parents should be aware of the behaviors that
  concern them and note how long the behaviors have
  been going on, how often they occur, and how
  severe they seem.

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• Parents should take their child to see a mental
  health professional or the child's doctor for
  evaluation and diagnosis.
• Parents can get accurate information from
  libraries, help lines and other sources.
• Parents should ask questions about treatments and
  services.

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• They should talk to other families with similar
  problems in the community.
• Family support groups may be very important to a
  family experiencing depression. NAMI may have
  support groups in your area, or there may be
  other agencies who also offer support groups.

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What Can Parents and Caregivers Do to Help A
Child with Depression?

• According to Kids Health, some parents may have
  some feelings of guilt. It may be important for
  them to receive some counseling as well.
• Parents must make sure their child takes any
  prescribed medicines. They must encourage
  healthy eating too, as this may help improve mood
  and outlook.

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• Parents should make sure their child stays
  active. Physical activity has been shown to help
  alleviate the symptoms of depression. Physical
  activities, such as bike rides or walks, can be
  incorporated into the family's routine.

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• Children must know their parents care for them.
  Parents can tell their children they are there,
  they love and care about their child and want to
  hear what he or she has to say, even if it isn't
  pleasant. Although these things may be difficult
  for a child to believe, it is important for
  parents to say them.

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• Parents and caregivers should keep up treatment
  for children child and watch for warning signs.
• Make sure the prescribed treatment is followed,
  whether it's medication, therapy or both.

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• Parents should call the doctor if they see signs
  that their child may be thinking about suicide.
  Untreated depression is the number one cause of
  suicide. If a child talks about suicide to their
  parents or anyone else, or shows warning signs
  such as giving belongings away and being
  preoccupied with death, call a doctor or a mental
  health professional immediately.

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• Parents should accept the situation and never
  tell their child to "snap out of it." At times,
  parents may need to remind themselves that it is
  not laziness causing their child's inability to
  get out of bed, complete chores or do homework.
  He or she simply doesn't have the desire or the
  energy.

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For More Information, Visit these Websites

• National Alliance on Mental Illness,
  http//www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline
  1/Facts_About_Childhood_Depression.htm
• National Institute of Mental Health,
  http//www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/d
  epression-in-children-and-adolescents.shtml
• Kids Health.org, http//kidshealth.org/parent/emot
  ions/feelings/understanding_depression.html

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Missouri Department of Social Services State
Technical Assistance Team

• Address
• PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO 65102-0208
• Telephone [phone](800) 487-1626(8 a.m.
  to 5 p.m. CST, Monday Friday)
• Email
•  dls.stat_at_dss.mo.gov