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, Causes
Discusses myths about childhood depression, symptoms and treatment options.
http://www.wingofmadness.com/children.htm
The 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.
htm
The Depressed
Child
For 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 Depression
Diagnosis and treatment of Child and Adolescent Depression.
http://www.baltimorepsych.com/cadepress.htm
NAMI | 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.html
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Diagnosis and treatment of childhood and adolescent depression.
http://www.athealth.com/consumer/Disorders/
ChildDepression.html
Learning 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.html
Depression and Children
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country’s oldest
and largest
nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and
mental ...
http://www.nmha.org/children/children_mh_matters/
depression.cfm
Depression 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 Symptoms
mindsoothe 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.shtml
Child 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/Hope
Child 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 symptoms
Learn 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.html
Drug 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
- types
The 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_
5086
Major 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.asp
Depression 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.html
What Parents Can Do About Childhood
Depression
Strategies 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.htm
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Authoritative 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