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The websites listed here are for both parents and their children. Many times depression is misdiagnosed in children. The information on this site will give you a better insight into depression.
* We must warn parents and children not to try and treat depression based on this information alone. Depression should only be diagnosed and treated by a professional. With the insights you find here, hopefully you can better talk about what is really going on in the life of a child. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of because it happens to many people.
Parents it is important to take time and talk with you children every day. If your child needs to talk to you, do not tell them you are too busy. Some children have depression because no one has the time to talk with them. They may feel invisible to the world and not worth noticing. Many times these thoughts lead to suicide. DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO DIE? Of couse you don't. A few minutes of your time every day WILL make a difference.
Kids it is important to talk with your parents every day. If they don't have time, then you must tell them it is important to you and you need the time. If you have feelings you don't understand, tell your parents. You should know that many of the things you feel will continue to change as you grow. There are chemicals in your body called hormones. They will sometimes create confusion in your mind as to what is going on with your body and your mind. Your parents went through the same changes and do understand. They really can help if will just ask them to.
An Overview of Depression
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime. A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Teens and Depression: Shattering the Myths
Teenagers and adults share a problem: They often fail to recognize the symptoms of depression in themselves or in other people. Further complicating this issue are myths about depression that can separate people from the effective treatments now available. Some of the most common myths are:
Myth: It's normal for teenagers to be moody teens don't suffer from "real" depression.
Fact: Depression can affect people at any age or of any race, ethnic, or economic group.
Myth: Teens who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together. There's nothing anyone else can do to help
Fact: Depression is not a weakness, but a serious health disorder. Both young people and adults who are depressed need professional treatment. A trained therapist or counselor can help them learn more positive ways to think about themselves, change behavior, cope with problems, or handle relationships. A physician can prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms of depression. For many people a combination of psychotherapy and medication is beneficial.
Myth: Talking about depression only makes it worse.
Fact: Talking through feelings may help a friend recognize the need for professional help. By showing friendship and concern and giving uncritical support, you can encourage your friend to talk to his or her parents or another trusted adult, like a teacher or coach, about getting treatment. If your friend is reluctant to ask for help, talk to an adult that's what a real friend will do.
Recognizing Depression
Depression is not something you can just snap out of and feel better; it is a serious illness that needs to be treated. It is not your fault that you are depressed, and you can get better. There are many common signs of depression that indicate a problem. If you have some of these signs that last for more than two weeks, see your health care provider and get help.
* Feeling empty, sad, and anxious.
* Feeling tired or having no energy.
* Feeling restless and irritable a lot of the time.
* Crying more than usual.
* Feeling worthless, helpless, hopeless, and guilty.
* Having no interest or joy in life.
* Having trouble sleeping or waking up very early in the morning.
* Having problems eating too much or too little food.
* Thinking about suicide and death.
* Having trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.
* Having physical problems that don't go away when you take medicine, such as headaches, stomach problems, and pains in your body.
Depression Self-Assessment Checklist
Everyone experiences the symptoms of depression a little differently, but healthcare professionals have identified some common emotional and painful physical symptoms of depression.
Fill out the checklist below, then print your results. Use your answers to help you talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Only your doctor or healthcare professional can make a proper diagnosis.
This checklist was developed by depression experts at the University of Michigan.
Depression Checklist
Check all that apply to you.
O I'm often restless and irritable.
O I don't enjoy hobbies, leisure activities, or time with friends and family anymore.
O I'm having trouble managing my diabetes, hypertension, or other chronic illness.
O I have nagging aches and pains that don't get better, no matter what I do.
My sleep patterns are irregular:
O I'm sleeping too much.
O I'm not sleeping enough.
I often have:
O Digestive problems
O Headaches or backaches
O Vague aches and pains (e.g., joint or muscle pains)
O Chest pains
O Dizziness
Miscellaneous:
O I have trouble concentrating or making simple decisions.
O People have commented on my mood or attitude lately.
O My weight has changed considerably.
O I feel that my functioning in everyday life (work and my interactions with family and friends) is suffering because of these problems.
O I've had several of the symptoms I checked above for more than two weeks.
O I have a family history of depression.
O I've thought about suicide.
* Disclaimer: A-Better-Child.org always recommends that professional doctors treat depression, bipolar disorders and any stress and anxiety problems. We are not responsible for the use or treatment resulting in the use of any of this information. This information is only to assist parents and children in helping their doctor treat these diseases.
Please, take the time to research these websites!
Children and Depression - Misconceptions, Symptoms, CausesDiscusses myths about childhood depression, symptoms and treatment options.
http://www.wingofmadness.com/children.htmThe Depressed Child - AACAP Facts For Families # 4 Describes the signs and symptoms of depression in children and adolescents/teens.
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/depressd. htmThe Depressed ChildFor adults who want to help depressed children. Administered by the parent of achild who died of undiagnosed depression. Chat room, list of symptoms and ...
http://www.depressedchild.org/Child and Adolescent DepressionDiagnosis and treatment of Child and Adolescent Depression.
http://www.baltimorepsych.com/cadepress.htmNAMI | Facts About Childhood Depression(US Select Committee on Children, Youth & Families); Clinical depression can contribute to eating disorders. On the other hand, an eating disorder can lead ...
http://www.nami.org/helpline/depression-child.htmlDepression in Children and AdolescentsDiagnosis and treatment of childhood and adolescent depression.
http://www.athealth.com/consumer/Disorders/ ChildDepression.htmlLearning Disabilities OnLine: LD In-Depth: Childhood Depression ...Children with learning disabilities are prone to chronic depression. ... If parents suspect depression in a child, they may want to discuss their concerns ...
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/behavior/ lda_depression.htmlDepression and ChildrenThe National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the countrys oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental ...
http://www.nmha.org/children/children_mh_matters/ depression.cfmDepression in Children: Causes and Interventions In this case the child can sense the depression and unhappiness of the mother because ... Parental depression, conflict in the family, criticism of a child, ...
http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/sokolova.html Natural Teen Depression Help - Treatment for Child Depression Symptomsmindsoothe jr., teen depression, teen depression help, teen behavior loneliness depression, teen depression symptoms, causes of teen depression, ...
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ mindsoothejr-teen-childhood-depression-anxiety.shtmlChild depression Care Notes - literature designed to bring understanding and improvement
www.CareNotes.com
Bipolar Disorder ?
Children can get better.Family members can learn to help.
www.BipolarHappens.com/HopeChild and Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Tool Kit online health information resources focused on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
http://www.cshcn.org/resources/mentalhealthtoolkit.cfm Childhood depression symptomsLearn to recognize childhood depression symptoms. Depression is associated with many difficulties including learning problems, acting out in school, ...
http://la.essortment.com/childhooddepres_rhfw.htm
Depression in Children - Keep Kids Healthy Conditions
Depression in children and a discussion of symptoms, treatments, and diagnosis, with online discussion forums.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions /depression.htmlDrug treatment of childhood depression [Jul 1996; 29-7]A monthly newsletter about evidence-based health care; top source for such information on the net.
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band29/b29-7.html NetDoctor.co.uk - Depression - typesThe options for drug treatment of depression in childhood and adolescence have ... Guidelines for the management of child and adolescent depression. ...
http://www.community. netdoktor.com/ccs/uk/depression/facts/biology/article.jsp?articleIdent=uk.depression.facts.biology.uk_depression_article_ 5086Major Depression in Children and Adolescents, National Mental ...Major Depression in Children and Adolescents. ... The same may be true for children. Back to top. How common is depression? Population studies show that at ...
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa. gov/publications/allpubs/CA-0011/default.aspDepression in Children and Adolescents - November 15, 2000 ...A patient information handout on depression in children, written by the ...Depression among children and adolescents is common but frequently unrecognized. ...
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001115/2297.htmlWhat Parents Can Do About Childhood DepressionStrategies to cope with children's depression. ... Advice for Parents in Dealing with Childhood Depression at Home. Symptoms of childhood depression should ...
http://www.childparenting.about. com/cs/disorders/a/ childdepression.htmDepression in Children and AdolescentsAuthoritative information about depressive disorders in children and adolescents, including information on the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.children.html
, for more information on this subject.