Depression in children

Teenagers and depression

Everybody feels low now and then. But depression is a real medical illness. It can affect anybody, including teenagers. About 1 in 20 teenagers may be depressed, so it's common to feel this way.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health.
Depression in Children and Adolescents.
June 2008. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/depchildmenu.cfm (accessed on 29 January 2009).

The good news is you can get treatment and feel better soon. When depression isn't treated, it can last longer and stop you from getting the most out of this important time in your life.

Source:
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Depression in children and young people.
October 2005. Available at http://www.nice.org.uk/cg28 (accessed on 27 January 2009).

Source:
Hazell P.
Depression in adolescents
In: Joyce PR, Mitchell PB (editors). Mood disorders recognition and treatments. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia; 2004.

Depression can stop you from getting the most out of life.

Symptoms to look for

You may be depressed if you have the two main symptoms and at least two other symptoms for more than two weeks.

Source:
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Depression in children and young people.
October 2005. Available at http://www.nice.org.uk/cg28 (accessed on 27 January 2009).

Source:
American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
4th edition. American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, USA; 2000.

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Main symptoms

You feel sad and you might cry a lot, and your sadness doesn't go away. Or you get upset a lot and little things make you lose your temper.
You don't feel like doing a lot of the things you used to, such as being with friends, listening to music or playing sports. You want to be left alone most of the time.

Other symptoms

You don't feel like eating or you eat a lot more.
You start sleeping a lot or more, or you have problems getting to sleep.
Life seems like it doesn't have any meaning or like nothing good is ever going to happen again.
You feel restless or tired most of the time.
You feel guilty for no reason, and you feel like you're no good.
You have a hard time making up your mind. You forget lots of things and it's hard to focus.
You think about death or feel like you're dying. You may even think about trying to kill yourself.

When it's more than depression

Sometimes feeling sad can switch to a very high mood called mania. When you go back and forth between bouts of mania and bouts of depression, it's known as manic depression. You may also hear it called bipolar disorder.

When you have mania, you:

Source:
Hazell P.
Depression in adolescents
In: Joyce PR, Mitchell PB (editors). Mood disorders recognition and treatments. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia; 2004.

Feel high as a kite
Get unreal ideas about what you can do
Have thoughts race through your head
Jump from one subject to another and talk a lot
Do wild or risky things
Need very little sleep
Are rebellious or cranky
Can't get along at home or at school.

What to do if you're worried

If you're worried about depression in yourself or your friend, talk to someone who can help you get treatment. You can ask your doctor or school nurse, your parent or your teacher. Most teenagers can be helped with a talking treatment (

psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a talking treatment. It is given by trained therapists (such as a psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers). Psychotherapy usually consists of regular sessions (often weekly) between the therapist and the patient. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

psychotherapy), medicine or both. The sooner you get treatment, the better.

Sources for the information on this page:

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression in Children and Adolescents.June 2008. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/depchildmenu.cfm (accessed on 29 January 2009).

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.Depression in children and young people.October 2005. Available at http://www.nice.org.uk/cg28 (accessed on 27 January 2009).

Hazell P.Depression in adolescentsIn: Joyce PR, Mitchell PB (editors). Mood disorders recognition and treatments. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia; 2004.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).4th edition. American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, USA; 2000.

This information was last updated on Feb 05, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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