| Treatment for childhood depression varies. What | | | | encourages the child to use positive coping behaviors |
| works for one child may not necessarily work for | | | | instead of avoiding situations or giving up. When |
| another. | | | | therapy has been completed, the child may benefit |
| The first and most important step is finding a child | | | | from scheduled or "as-needed" booster sessions. |
| psychiatrist to evaluate and treat a depressed child. A | | | | If therapy does not produce enough improvement then |
| child psychiatrist has received specialized training in | | | | an anti-depressant may be added to the regime. Again, |
| diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders in children. | | | | this depends on the degree of the depression. If it is |
| Other health care practitioners including family doctors | | | | severe depression or there is serious acting out your |
| and pediatricians may have taken a course in child | | | | health care provider may start medication at the |
| psychiatry, but a great majority are not experts in the | | | | beginning of the treatment. |
| field. | | | | The medical treatment of child and adolescent |
| As a general rule, with mild to moderate depression, | | | | depression using SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake |
| one first tries psychotherapy. This may include family | | | | Inhibitors -- Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.) has proven |
| therapy to help the members of the family in | | | | very beneficial. The side effects of SSRIs are not as |
| understanding depression and what the depressed | | | | annoying as those of the older medications and are |
| child is experiencing. | | | | less toxic in overdoses. Compared to adults, |
| It has been shown that family therapy can speed | | | | adolescents are a bit more likely to become agitated |
| recovery and help prevent a relapse. Discussions with | | | | or to develop a mania while taking an SSRI. |
| your health care provider can help you determine | | | | The doctor should warn you about the symptoms of |
| which psycho therapeutic method is best suited for | | | | mania, especially if there is a family history of Bipolar |
| your child. | | | | Disorder. If your child has had a manic episode in the |
| Studies have shown that treatment for childhood | | | | past, some doctors will suggest adding a mood |
| depression using cognitive-behavioral therapy may | | | | stabilizer like Lithium or Depakote. |
| work the fastest, but the child's psychiatrist will | | | | The treatments for childhood depression vary from |
| determine which method is best. | | | | child to child. Using psychotherapy, medication, or a |
| Cognitive therapy works by helping a child examine | | | | combination of both can help your child overcome |
| and correct negative thought patterns and erroneous | | | | depression. And the best news of all is that childhood |
| negative assumptions about them self. Behaviorally, it | | | | depression can be treated successfully. |