Depression and other mood disorders are major health concerns facing young adults that can contribute to many negative health outcomes or even death. Research shows that, by age 18, approximately 15% of teenagers will have suffered from an episode of major depression. Depression, particularly in combination with alcohol or drug abuse, is a risk factor that can increase the possibility that someone may die or attempt to die by suicide.
Since depression is common in youth, causes significant suffering, and can increase the risk of death by suicide, it is very important that we learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers. The good news for parents and families is that there are medications and psychotherapies (“talk” therapy) that can be effective treatments for youth experiencing depression.
What Is Depression?
Feeling sad, down, or discouraged are natural emotions that happen when difficulties or troubles occur in our lives. Depression is different from a regular down mood, because it lasts longer and feels stronger or different from typical sadness. Sometimes it is a feeling of emptiness, lack of feeling or being irritable, cranky and easily angered.
How Does Depression Affect Someone?
Depression affects more than just mood. It drains the energy, motivation, and concentration a person needs for normal living. It interferes with the ability to notice or enjoy the good things in life. Depression can make a person see things much more negatively than they really are and can lead to discouragement, despair, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts. Sleep and appetite can also change during a period of depression.
How Is It Different in Children and Teens?
Depression can be hard to recognize, particularly in children. People with depression may not always realize that they are depressed. And, because a child with depression is often irritable or uncooperative, parents may misunderstand it as a bad attitude.
Children and teenagers with depression sometimes can temporarily feel better when something good happens, but the positive feelings only last a short time until they fall back into the depression. Sometimes people with depression, including children, try hard to hide how they are feeling and “look” fine even though they are feeling bad.
How Can We Deal with Depression?
If you are experiencing depression, or if you are the parent of a child or teenager with depression, know that depression can get better with the right treatment. A doctor can check for any health conditions that could be causing symptoms of depression. It can also help to meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other therapist, who can evaluate and diagnose depression and create a plan to treat it.
Treatment for depression might include talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Usually it takes a few weeks for the treatment to start working, so it is important to be patient and stick with it. Many people find that it helps to open up to parents or other adults who they trust. Simply saying something like “I’ve been feeling really down lately and I think I’m depressed” can be a good way to start. Practicing good self-care in daily life, such as staying active, doing activities you care about, getting enough sleep, and connecting with others regularly, can also reduce the impact of depression and build resiliency.
If you are a child or teenager and you think you might be depressed, ask your parent to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or a therapist. If a parent or family member can’t help, turn to your school counselor, school nurse, or other trusted adult. If you or your child need immediate help due to having suicidal thoughts, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If there is an immediate safety concern, call 911 or go the nearest emergency room.
Depression will get better with the proper care and attention over time, so even though the depressed person might feel very bad at times, it is important to remember that things can get better.
For more information on depression, visit the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Depression Resource Center.
David A. Axelson, MD, is chief of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Nationwide Children's Hospital, chief of the Section of Psychiatry at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the John W. Wolfe Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry.
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