Depression in children

Depression: the warning signs

If a child seems low, there are treatments that may help stop them from getting seriously depressed. So be sure to look out for early warning signs.

Your child (or a young person you teach, care for or know) may be cranky and start to lose interest in things they used to enjoy. But their symptoms might not be bad enough to be diagnosed as depression. Doctors call this subclinical depression.

Source:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Summary of the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 1998; 37:1234-1238.

Children who have mild symptoms like these could be at risk of having their symptoms get worse.

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).

Some children are more at risk of getting depressed, because of problems with their family or home. For example, children whose parents have gotten divorced may be more at risk.

By acting early if you see warning signs, you could stop a child or teenager from slipping into depression and other problems, such as alcohol and drug abuse.

Here are some things you can do if you think your child is at risk for depression.

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).

Problems at home or school may have triggered your child's symptoms. For example, they may be being bullied at school, having a hard time keeping up with their work or having problems at home. You can talk to teachers, school counselors or school psychologists, social workers or other caregivers to find out more.
Talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend trying 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), such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT for short).
Ask your doctor for information on self-help. Self-help includes things such as written information, help lines and support groups.
Encourage your child to keep fit and healthy. Exercising three times a week for up to an hour may lift your child's mood. They may also benefit from eating the right foods, such as plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Ask your doctor for help if your child has sleep problems or is very anxious.

Sources for the information on this page:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Summary of the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders.Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 1998; 37:1234-1238.

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).

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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