But childhood depression is more than just feeling sad, blue or low. Children experiencing depression often feel negative about themselves, their situation and their future.
If your child is depressed, it can be hard for your child to learn, make friends and make the most of daily life. If depression goes on for a long time without treatment, children can fall behind at school, lose confidence in themselves and become more withdrawn. Children who have the right care can recover from depression. Your GP can connect you with the professionals who can help.
And your love and support also plays a big part in helping your child recover. When your child is diagnosed with a depressive disorder, it is typically classified by severity:. According to the DSM-5, this classification is based on the number, type, and severity of symptoms and the degree to which they interfere with your day-to-day life. If your child is diagnosed with mild depression, their doctor will actively monitor their symptoms before recommending any form of treatment.
If their symptoms persist after 6 to 8 weeks of support, they will be referred for psychotherapy. If your child is initially diagnosed with moderate to severe depression, their doctor will likely skip this step and start treatment immediately.
Psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of the two have been shown to help young people with depression.
The kind of treatment recommended for your child will depend on the nature and severity of their depression.
If your child is diagnosed with mild depression, the APA recommends psychotherapy as a first-line treatment. For adolescents with moderate to severe depression, research has shown that a combination of psychotherapy and medication works best. In psychotherapy, a mental health professional will help your child develop the skills needed to manage their depressive symptoms so they can function well both at home and in school.
Two kinds of psychotherapy are recognized as the treatment of choice for children with depression:. The APA recommends that psychotherapy always be a component of treatment for childhood and adolescent depression.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are considered the first-line antidepressant option for young people with depression. Their doctor may also prescribe a different SSRI or a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor SNRI if they think it is in your child's best interest.
This is referred to as off-label use, and it is fairly common practice. While antidepressants can be an effective way to treat childhood depression, their use has been linked to serious side effects , such as suicidal thinking in people under age Though this side effect is rare, the Food and Drug Administration FDA now requires that all antidepressants carry a black box warning about this increased risk of suicide.
This does not mean that antidepressants should not be used by people in this age group. It simply means that they should be carefully monitored by doctors and caregivers, particularly in the first few weeks after starting an antidepressant. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
For mild cases of depression, lifestyle changes can often be an effective way to address feelings of depression. Things like finding ways to manage stress, getting regular physical exercise, using relaxation techniques, and building a stronger social support system can help improve how a child feels. The following are some proactive steps you can take to encourage healthy coping skills and support mental health:.
If you think your child may be depressed, it's important to talk to them. Try to find out what's troubling them and how they're feeling. See some tips on talking to younger children about their feelings and talking to teenagers. Whatever is causing the problem, take it seriously. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for your child.
If your child does not want to talk to you, let them know that you're concerned about them and that you're there if they need you. Encourage them to talk to someone else they trust, such as another family member, a friend or someone at school. It may be helpful for you to talk to other people who know your child, including their other parent. If you think your child is depressed, or you're concerned about their general wellbeing, make an appointment with them to see a GP.
Childhood depression may be the result of a combination of factors. These risk factors alone may not account for the mood disorder, but they might play a role. Childhood depression is a serious condition, but it is treatable. Treatment for children with depression involves therapy and prescription medication. Some children may benefit from one of these — others may use a combination. These are not lifelong treatments.
The treatment plan for childhood depression often depends on the severity of symptoms. The good news is that the right care can help your child find relief from their symptoms. If a child is diagnosed with depression, the first line of treatment is often psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy CBT is commonly used to treat depression. This type of therapy involves talking through emotions and experiences, analyzing areas for changes, and finding proactive ways to make those changes. For young children, traditional talk therapy may not be as effective because of their limited vocabulary. Play therapy, which uses toys and entertainment, can help children learn to reinforce their feelings and experiences. Art therapy, which uses painting, drawing, and other artistic techniques, is a type of expressive therapy that may help children cope with symptoms of depression, too.
As of , the U. According to the U. A rare side effect of these medications in children may be an increased risk of suicide.
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