CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION- SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
CAN A CHILD BE DEPRESSED?
Yes childhood depression is almost as common as adult depression. This is quite different from the normal blues and mood swings children might experience as they grow up. Sadness in a child does not necessarily spell depression, however if it is persistent and there is disruptive behavior that interferes with normal social activities, interest, school work and family life then you might be dealing with childhood depressive illness. In this article about CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION- SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT you will be able to detect depressive illness in a child as early as possible.
SYMPTOMS OF CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION?
Symptoms of depression in children are more often than not passed off as normal emotional and psychological growth changes. While many children exhibit sadness or low mood similar to depressed adults, children of a younger age might exhibit an angry behavior. The primary symptoms of depression revolves around sadness, feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes.
Generally parents should watch out for all or some of the under listed behavior:
- Irritability or anger
- Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Social withdrawal
- Increased sensitivity to rejection
- Changes in appetite — either increased or decreased
- Changes in sleep Pattern– sleeplessness or excessive sleep
- Vocal outbursts or crying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue and low energy
- Physical complaints (such as stomachaches, headaches) that don\’t respond to treatment
- Reduced ability to function during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, extracurricular activities, and in other hobbies or interests
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Impaired thinking or concentration
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Not all children with childhood depression will exhibit all of these symptoms, the truth is that some children may continue to function well in a structured environment. However, kids with significant level of depression will suffer a noticeable change in social behavior, family life and academic work. Children might also resort to using drugs and alcohol especially if they are above 12.
Although relatively rare in children under 12, young children do attempt suicide — and may do so impulsively when they are upset or angry. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys are more likely to succeed in killing themselves when they make an attempt. Children with a family history of violence, alcohol abuse, or physical or sexual abuse are at greater risk for suicide, as are those with depressive symptoms.
How Is Depression Diagnosed in Children?
If the symptoms of depression in your child have lasted for at least two weeks, you should schedule a visit with his or her doctor to make sure there are no physical reasons for the symptoms and to make sure that your child receives proper treatment. A consultation with a mental health care professional who specializes in children is also recommended.
A mental health evaluation should include interviews with you (the parent or primary caregiver) and your child, and any additional psychological testing that is necessary. Information from teachers, friends and classmates can be useful for showing that these symptoms are consistent during your child\’s various activities and are a marked change from previous behavior.
There are no specific tests — medical or psychological — that can clearly show depression, but tools such as questionnaires (for both the child and parents) combined with personal information can be very useful in helping diagnose depression in children. Sometimes those therapy sessions and questionnaires can uncover other concerns that contribute to the depression.
TREATMENT OVERVIEW
The sooner treatment begins for depression, the sooner your child is likely to recover. Waiting to seek treatment for depression may mean a longer and more difficult recovery.
Treatment typically includes professional counseling, medicines, and education about depression for your child and your family.
Home treatment is an important part of treating depression. It includes regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
COUNSELING
Professional counseling for depression includes several types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and family therapy. For more information about counseling, see Other Treatment.
MEDICINES
Medicines used to treat childhood depression include several types of drugs called antidepressants.
An important part of treatment is making sure that your child takes medicines as prescribed. Often people who feel better after taking an antidepressant for a period of time may feel like they are \”cured\” and no longer need treatment. But when medicine is stopped too early, symptoms usually return. So it is important that your child follows the treatment plan.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide
Before prescribing medicine, your doctor will check your child for possible suicidal thoughts by asking a few questions. See a list of questions your doctor may ask your child.
EDUCATION
Education of your child and family members can be provided by a doctor either informally or in family therapy. Some of the most important things that your child and family members can learn include:
- Knowing how to make sure a child is following a treatment plan, such as taking medicine correctly and going to counseling appointments.
- Learning ways to reduce stress caused by living with someone who has depression.
- Knowing the signs of a relapse and what to do to prevent depression from recurring.
- Knowing the signs of suicidal behavior, how to evaluate their seriousness, and how to respond.
- Learning how to identify signs of a manic episode, which is a bout of extremely high mood and energy, or irritability that is a sign of bipolar disorder.
- Seeking treatment if you are a parent with depression. If a parent\’s depression goes untreated, it may interfere with the recovery of the child.
ADDITIONAL TREATMENT
Your child may need treatment for other disorders that may be causing ongoing symptoms, such as:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Anxiety disorder.
- Substance abuse.
A brief hospital stay may be needed, especially if your child:
- Is showing any warning signs of suicide (such as talking about death or suicide and giving away belongings).
- Is so depressed that he or she becomes out of touch with reality (psychotic) or has hallucinations or delusions.
If your child is depressed, consider removing all guns and potentially fatal medicines from your home, especially if your child has shown any warning signs of suicide. Although overdosing on medicine is the most common way that teens attempt suicide, your child is at higher risk for dying by suicide if you have a gun in your home, particularly if it is easy to get to it or if you store it loaded.