Can children really suffer from depression?
Category: Depression
Despite for many parents it is easier to deny that your child has depression and in many cases it is undiagnosed and untreated, children really suffer from depression. Childhood depression differs from everyday emotions and behavior. It doesn’t mean that if your child is sad, in a low mood or angry you should immediately run to the doctor, but if he lose interest to social activities, to family life and etc. and if it lasted already for more then two weeks it may be the symptom of depression. And it will not go away without a proper treatment.
Depression in children can be caused by the combination of several factors, such as life events, health, situation in the family and etc. Children who have parents that suffer from depression, children from conflicted families, children and teenagers who abuse for example alcohol or drugs, are at serious risk of being depressed.
The symptoms of depression in children can vary. Parents usually consider that the child is just growing and the changes in behavior are just normal emotional changes. But when depression comes the symptoms of it are similar to adults which are in depression, for example feeling of hopelessness, sadness, irritability, mood changes, loose of interest ( for example, at school), loose of concentration and attentiveness, low energy, increased or decreased appetite, sleeplessness or excessive sleep, social withdrawal and many others.
Sometimes they can even have physical complaints, such as headache or stomachache (which do not respond to treatment).
And, the most dangerous symptom could ever be, is the feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt. Because as children are very sensitive (and during the depression this feeling is increased), thoughts of death and suicide may appear…
Not all children have all of these symptoms. In fact, most will display different symptoms at different times and in different settings. Although some children may continue to function reasonably well in structured environments, most kids with significant depression will suffer a noticeable change in social activities, loss of interest in school and poor academic performance, or a change in appearance. Children may also begin using drugs or alcohol, especially if they are over the age of 12.
If the symptoms of depression have lasted for at least two weeks, you should visit your child’s doctor to verify the reason. A consultation with a mental professional who specializes in children is also recommended. Personal information from friends, classmates, teachers can be useful for verifying the diagnose.
Treatment for children with depression combines psychotherapy and medicine. Psychotherapy is preferred. The family plays a great role in treatment process. Â
Antidepressant could be the additional option of treatment. For example, antidepressant Prozac (brand of fluoxetine) is effective in treating depression in children and teenagers of 8-18 years old.
Children with bipolar disorder are usually treated first of all with psychotherapy, and then by a combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer. But there is a following warning that usage of an antidepressant alone can trigger bouts of mania. And besides, it is determined that antidepressant medications increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children with depression and other psychiatric disorders.
So, before using any of them you should discuss it with child’s doctor. If he considers to use antidepressant in a child, he must balance this risk with the clinical need – that is very important!
Anyway, don’t forget to keep in mind that while depression is a serious illness, it is also a treatable one!
Questions and Answers
I am 43 and suffer from depression and panic attacks my wife and children suffer? I have been going through this for about 15 years I am on tenorman klonopin and lexepro nothing seems to help, I have know drive , I get about 4 hr sleep at night , I feel worthless to top it iff I have a wonderful wife how deserves more from me but I struggle every day just to get up and go to work paint a smile on my face and pretand every thing is great. whats really sad is when your autistic 11 yr. old son asks you why you never smile. I dont know what to do and I dont know where to go. but I do know I need help. every day I tell myself tommorow will be the day things change but the only thing tommorow brings is another day of a husband who cant help his wife like he should and a father who is setting a poor example for his children and as hard as I try I cant seem to change it on my own can any one help thanks so much ,john
It sounds like your antidepressant isn't working. Meanwhile, Klonopin is a depressant. Dump your GP or PCP and see a real psychiatrist. They are medication doctors, not therapists. At this point, you are not an easy case. Not all antidepressants are the same. Different SSRIs affect people differently. There also are SNRIs (hit norepinephrine as well as serotonin), and Wellbutrin which plays with dopamine. Then there are the tricyclics, and if others fail there are the MAOI inhibitors and/or augmenting anti-d's with Lithium or trying a stabilizer. You have lots of room to maneuver is the point. You also want someone very knowledgeable about which to try next, and that's the reason for the pdoc.
Also, in case you've never heard this before, bipolar type II is misdiagnosed as depression for years, on average 10 to be more specific. The sleeping issues and anxiety plus an anti-d not working *might* indicate that dx, which is another reason to see a pdoc. Last, if that is what you have, you've been treating it with the wrong drugs, which is why you want the right dx. Difficult to treat depression is probably your problem, but the other is a possibility. At any rate, you deserve the expert in the field.
~bipolarII, dx'd at 43, life has improved much since
I suffer from severe depression and my husband is bipolar. Can we pass this on to our children? i am worried my son will suffer from the same mental illnesses his father and I suffer from. What are the chances he will suffer from them to?
I don't know about "passing it on" exactly but your sons chances of ever suffering from a mental illness would certainly be increased compared to someone who has no family history of a mental illness. I suffer from depression, so does my mum, Aunty (her sister), my cousins and, though never diagnosed in that era, my Mum is sure my grandmother had it, soooooooooo I would say there is definately a heriditary element. Good news is both you and your husband are well versed in the symptoms and can be on the look out for them in your son and guide him to getting the right help should he need it.
Should children who suffer from depression be allowed to play on mood swings?
Only if they take their medication and drink lots of water.
I suffer from really bad bipolar depression? And I would like to know if anyone else on here suffer with depression, and how do you cope with it.
Its an awful disease to have to live with. I have suffered from manic depressoin as long as I can remember and over the years it has got worse.
I decided to take up a university course through my local college and although it was a daunting prospect I did it and have never looked back. Although I am aware that it can and will reappear at some point in my life but so far I'm coping well.
I wish you all the very best in dealing with your depression. Good luck!!!
I suffer from depression, what are some ways I can boost my mood? I also see a psychiatrist and take medicine.
Go outside and exercise. If you don't like that, find hobbies that might be good for you. Like make things out of paper, take a relaxing bath, take a twenty minute nap.. Find something that you could do for yourself like painting, drawing or even eating.. As long as you are careful the skies the limit.
This is a really weird question but I suffer from chronic depression and anxiety and have weird thoughts .? I'm not a teenager I am a mother and grandmother and I used to be a cutter. This is gone now, but when I am anxious or may more correctly in a panic attack I will do anything to stop it. Cutting used to be a wayout but since I have stopped sometimes I have visions of chopping off my hands. I have even puzzled to figure out if I used a manual instrument how would I cut off the 2nd one. At this point I often overmedicate. Has anyone heard of this before.
Stop whatever you are doing and go see a professional. Do not wait for Tuesday. Make no excuses. Sell your car and quit your job if you need. I'm not overreacting - for the sake of you and your family, you need to stop this cycle NOW.
This isn't about the symptoms (cutting, medicating, etc.) it's about you getting a new, fresh slate to start over again. (minus any good things in your life, you can keep those.)
You need immediate solutions to your issues - not coping skills or mechanisms that delay you getting help. Do it now, stop reading, turn off the computer. Have your husband email my contact setup AFTER you go, so I know you did it.
Bless you, and good luck.
Do People Really "Suffer" From Depression Or Are They Just Feeling Sorry For Themselves? I know someone who is on Social Security Disability because of depression.
Do you think that people that have depression are really sick?
Or are those diagnosed with this simply dealing with "self pity"?
yes depression is real
someone can not just say they are depressed it is an unbelievable feeling of pain
its not self pity
its more of their feeling of self worth
I just got used and dumped really bad by this guy and im hurting to move on, I suffer from depression so? hurts 10 times worst then normal, should I let him know what he has done to me( my 5th suicide attempt) and if I should, how?
Honey, no boy or man is worth your life.
You should check out the book Loose Girl, not that you are but the story is about how this girl learns that no boy, or no man can fill the hole in her heart.
I've been thinkin' about ya, and I hope you're feeling better. <<<<<<<<Hugs>>>>>>>>>>
Can men suffer from their own version of postpartum depression? A friend and her husband have been having trouble lately, and it got me thinking that possibly her husband is suffering from some sort of depression. He's a stay at home father, and it's been downhill since the birth of their child. Is it possible he could be suffering some version of depression related to the birth of their child?
Sure they can. My husband was nesting before DS was born and had the baby blues after.
