Depression In Teenagers & Children

DEPRESSION in Teenagers and ChildrenA while ago Iwho, during a group reading, who used to sit and listen,
did a blog about Adult depression. While doing thenow gets up and wanders around.10) Becomes
research on Adult depression, I learned quite a bit ofdisruptive in class (both teens and children).11) Finds it
information about depression in general, in addition toharder to stay on task. Loses concentration easily; is
what I already knew because I suffer from thismentally confused. Finds decisions difficult to make. In
condition myself. What I didn't know, however, is justa child this might look like the following: unable to match
how prevelant this condition is in the population at large,blocks by color when s/he could before; unable to
and in children and teens in specific. One source saidchoose between playing ball and jumping rope when
that depression is close to the top psychologicalthe child ALWAYS choose playing ball before. You
condition in the western world (more about what thiscan think of your own examples, I'm sure.12) Cannot
means in a later blog; it'll take a whold blog to talkremember commitments - doesn't keep appointments
about what this means).This article will cover the(teen). As a child, forgets to bring papers home when
following: teenager and children depression statistics;s/he ALWAYS used to do so; forgets home address
teenager and children - specific depression symptomstelephone number when s/he has known them for
(for "general" symptoms, check out the Adult blog),months/years; etc.13) Has difficulty staying still or
and, what you, as the parent and/or gaurdian, can do ifconversely, is lethargic (sluggish). This would apply to
you recognize the symptoms in one of yours.both a teen and a child. You can picture, in your mind,
(Remember, the following information comes fromthe teen or child in constant motion; twitching, shaking a
many Internet sources.)TEENAGER AND CHILDRENfoot, or both feet; handling things; etc. OR, the teen or
DEPRESSION STATISTICSAs many as 8.3% ofchild who sits or lays with that thousand yard stare
teenagers in the U.S. suffer from depression.again. AND, again, this is unusual behavior for your teen
Suicide is the third leading cause of death inor child.14) Changes in relationships with family and
teenagers.As many as one in every 33 children andfriends. Usually, this change manifests itself in hostility,
approximately one in 8 adolescents may haveor in passivity. Arguing when s/he didn't before; or,
depression. (Center for Mental Health Services, 1996;using the "whatever" answer, when s/he used to talk
these data have increased over the past 9to you. (Again, don't single this one symptom out; it
years).Treatment of major depression is as effectivemust be one of many symptoms that your teen or
for children as it is for adults. (Dr. Graham Emslie,child has.)15) Stops going out with friends; shows no
American Medical Association, Archives of Generalinterest in group outings.16) Increase or decrease in
Psychiatry, November 15, 1997).Twenty years agosexual activity (hopefully, an OLDER TEEN).17) May
depression in children was almost unknown. Now thestart associating with a different peer group (that "bad
fastest rate of increase in depression is among younginfluence" group as a teen; the "rowdy" kids as a
people. (I don't know about you, but this statistic scareschild).18) Loses interest in activities which once were
me the most!)The statistics on teen depression arefun.19) More conflicts with parents and siblings than
sobering. Studies indicate that one in five (1 in 5)usual.20) Changes in eating and sleeping habits.21)
children have some sort of mental, behavioral, orExpresses inappropriate guilt, feelings of not being
emotional problem, and that one in ten (1 in 10) maygood enough, worthlessness, failure. (I can see this in a
have a serious emotional problem.What is even moreteen; not sure how this would look in a child. If you can,
chilling is that of all these children and teens strugglingplease let us know.)22) Expresses hopelessness and
with emotional and behavioral problems, a mere 30%having nothing to look forward to.23) Speaks in a
receive any sort of intervention or treatment. Themonotonous or monosyllabic manner.24) Has a
other 70% simply struggle through the pain of mentalpreoccupation with self; is withdrawn.25) Cries easily,
illness or emotional turmoil, doing their best to make it tolooks sad, feels alone or isolated.26) Has fears about
adulthood. Many theorize that this is why the suicidehaving to be perfect.27) Fearful of doing something
rate in teens is so high. Suicide is the third (3rd) leadingbad. This, in a child, could manifest itself as bedwetting
cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.after YEARS of not bedwetting; fear of darkness or
Even more troubling, it is the sixth (6th) leading cause"things that go bump in the night" after YEARS of no
of death among children ages 5-14.The consequencesfear, etc.28) Incidents of self-injury. Ideas of killing self. (I
of untreated depression can be:increased incidence ofhave no idea of how this would look for a child, and
depression in adulthood;hope never to have such an idea!)WHAT A PARENT
involvement in the criminal justice system;GUARDIAN CAN DOThe two most important things a
or in some cases, suicide.WHAT ARE THE TEENparent can do for your child/teen is to first, KNOW
CHILDREN DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS?As we seeYOUR TEEN/CHILD'S ROUTINE, AND NORMAL
above, treatment (i.e., counseling, therapy, or evenDAILY ACTIVITIES so that you can identify any
medical intervention, if needed) for depression is aschanges; and, LISTEN:1) listen when your children talk;2)
effective for teens/children as it is for Adults. Let melisten to their music;3) spend more time with them and
state that again; research from a variety of sourcesbe involved in their activities;4) take them to movies
indicates that appropriate treatment for depression in aand concerts, and discuss them afterward;5) know
teen and/or a child is as effective as it is for Adults.their friends, and listen to them, as well;6) do not lecture
So, what, as a parent or gurdian, should we look for?or offer unsolicited advice, or ultimatums; and,7) do not
What are the symptoms of real depression, and nottry to talk them out of their feelings; instead, ask them
just a "bad mood"?"Real Depression" - the type thatif they can describe their feelings.It goes without saying,
needs immediate and appropriate attention - inbut I'll say it anyway, learn the above symptoms and
teenagers and in children is defined as: when theknow your teen/child. Here are some more things that
feelings of depression persist and interfere with theyou, the parent or guardian can do.8) If a child, go to
teen's/child's ability to function in his/her normal dailytheir day care periodically, and lern their routine; ask the
activities. This doesn't mean that one should ignore ateachers to alert you if their routine changes.9) If a
teen's/child's bad mood if it lasts for a few days or ateen, go to ALL of your teen's teacher conferences to
few weeks. What it does mean is that, at a minimum,learn the patterns of the normal school day, and ask to
you, the parent/guardian must know enough aboutbe alerted immediately to changes.10) For both teens
your teen's/child's normal daily activities so that youand children, know their friends; see if your home can
can know when there are changes. OK, what coversbecome the "gathering place"; get to know the parents
"normal daily activities" for a teen/child? (And, in this,of your child's or teen's friends and agree to let each
we are sticking to American generic teens/children,other know if you see any changes in behavior.11) In all
because that's what I am most famaliar with. If anyonecases, keep a diary of any changes that you see, so
can add to this list, please do so.)As you read throughthat you will be able to discuss the situation with great
this list, remember that your teen/child has to have "aclarity and specificity with professionals, should the
siginficant" number of these symptoms; they have toneed arise.12) Respond with love, kindness, and
be ongoing, out of character; and impair the teen'ssupport if you think that your child/teen is experiencing
child's normal daily activities (sound familiar?)1) Snappingproblems that can lead to depression.13) Let your child
at people for no apparent reason - being irritable ator teen know that you are there, whenever she or he
everyone.2) Physically or verbally aggressive atneeds you, and do so often and in age-specific (as Dr.
everyone.3) Abandoning favorite hobbies or sports orPhil would say) ways.14) Keep trying, but gently, if your
other routine, daily activities.4) Increased passive TVteen shuts you out (depressed teenagers do not want
watching (where the teen/child has that "thousandto feel patronized or crowded).15) Do not criticize or
yard stare" and is not interacting with the programs).5)pass judgment, once the child or teen begins to talk
Increased risk-taking; e.g., dangerous driving; climbing too(the important thing is that he or she is talking and
high in a tree and jumping, breaking something; othercommunicating feelings). REMEMBER, NEVER
repeated unusually dangerous activities.6) Misuse ofCRITICIZE FEELINGS; everyone has the right to their
drugs and alcohol. Particularly teens, who use drugsfeelings, even if you think that they are "wrong". Let
and alcohol to "escape". (1)7) Changes in schoolthem be voiced; if inapproptiate, seek professional
behaviors (including training courses and work settings)assistance.16) Encourage activity and praise efforts.17)
for teens; changes in interpersonal behaviors andSeek help from a doctor or mental health professional,
activities in a pre-school setting (i.e., used to like to colorif the teen's or child's depressed feeling doesn't pass
and play with clay; now just sits in a corner, holding awith time (be prepared to list behaviors, note how long
stuffed toy and sucking a thumb).8) Frequentand how often they have been occurring, and how
absences from school; poorer grades than formerlysevere they seem - hence, the diary mentioned
attained; increase in skipping classes; etc. For a child,above).18) Do not wait and hope that symptoms will go
reversion in activities (i.e., used to color within the lines,away on their own. Better to seek assistance and be
now just scribbling on paper; intentionally breakingtold that your teen/child is fine than to let your teen
things, etc.)9) Complains of being bored (teen); a childchild become one of the 70% who never receive help.
whose attention waivers when it didn't before. A child