About 5 percent of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time.
Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression.
Teenage girls are at especially high risk, as are minority youth.
Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function. Depressed youth often have problems at home. In many cases, the parents are depressed, as depression tends to run in families.
Over the past 50 years, depression has become more common and is now recognized at increasingly younger ages. As the rate of depression rises, so does the teen suicide rate. It is important to remember that the behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. The characteristics vary, with most children and teens having additional psychiatric disorders, such as behavior disorders or substance abuse problems.
ental health professionals advise parents to be aware of signs of depression in their children. If one or more of these signs of depression persist, parents should seek professional help:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Depressed teens may abuse alcohol or other drugs as a way to feel better.
A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
Sleep disturbance may show up as all-night television watching, difficulty in getting up for school, or sleeping during the day. Loss of appetite may become anorexia or bulimia. Eating too much may result in weight gain and obesity.
Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
Adolescents and teens may become apathetic and drop out of clubs, sports, and other activities they once enjoyed. Not much seems fun anymore to the depressed teen.
Difficulty with relationships
Adolescents and teens may suddenly have no interest in maintaining friendships. They'll stop calling and visiting their friends.
Extreme sensitivity to failure or rejection
Believing that they are unworthy, depressed teens become even more depressed with every supposed rejection or perceived lack of success.
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
Children and teens that cause trouble at home or at school may actually be depressed but not know it. Because the child may not always seem sad, parents and teachers may not realize that the behavior problem is a sign of depression.
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and stomachaches
Adolescents and teens may complain about lightheadedness or dizziness, being nauseous, and back pain. Other common complaints include headaches, stomachaches, vomiting, and menstrual problems.
Frequent crying, sadness, tearfulness
Adolescents and teens may show their pervasive sadness by wearing black clothes, writing poetry with morbid themes, or having a preoccupation with music that has nihilistic themes. They may cry for no apparent reason.
Guilt and low self-esteem
Adolescents and teens may assume blame for negative events or circumstances. They may feel like a failure and have negative views about their competence and self-worth. They feel as if they are not "good enough."
Hopelessness
Adolescents and teens may feel that life is not worth living or worth the effort to even maintain their appearance or hygiene. They may believe that a negative situation will never change and be pessimistic about their future.
Increased anger, hostility or irritability
Depressed teens are often irritable, taking out most of their anger on their family. They may attack others by being abusive, critical, or sarcastic. They may feel they must reject their family before their family rejects them.
Persistent boredom; low energy
Lack of motivation and lowered energy level is reflected by missed classes or not going to school. A drop in grade averages can be equated with loss of concentration and slowed thinking.
Poor communication, social isolation
There is a lack of connection with friends and family. Teens may avoid family gatherings and events. Teens who used to spend a lot of time with friends may now spend most of their time alone and without interests.
Teens may not share their feelings with others, believing that they are alone in the world and no one is listening to them or even cares about them.
Poor concentration
Adolescents and teens may have trouble concentrating on schoolwork, following a conversation, or even watching television.
Self-Injury
Adolescents and teens that have difficulty talking about their feelings may show their emotional tension, physical discomfort, pain and low self-esteem with self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting.
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Running away is usually a cry for help. This may be the first time the parents realize that their child has a problem and needs help.
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior
Adolescents and teens that are depressed may say they want to be dead or may talk about suicide. Depressed children and teens are at increased risk for committing suicide.
If a child or teen says, "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit suicide," always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful.
Rather than "putting thoughts in the child's head," such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems.
Dore E. Frances, A.C.C., I.E.C. ~ Child Right's Advocate, Educational Consultant, Associate Certified Coach, Parent Coordinator
Dore has spent over 10 years in the advocate and educational consulting arena, assisting special needs students and their families.
She understands the challenges and issues they face - and is committed to helping guide families to the appropriate answer to their daughter or son's unique needs.
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