Childhood and Adolescent Depression

 Childhood and Adolescent Depression

Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
I wrote a blog post about adult depression not long ago. In addition to what I already understood as someone who suffers from depression, I learnt a great deal more about the disorder as a whole when researching adult depression. The prevalence of this illness in both the general population and young people in particular is something I was unaware of. Among the most common mental health issues in developed nations, depression ranks high, according to one source (I'll go into the implications of this in a later post; discussing them would require an entire blog).

The topics covered in this article are: statistics on depression in children and teenagers; symptoms specific to depression in children and teenagers (for "general" symptoms, see the Adult blog); and what you, as a parent or guardian, may do if you notice these symptoms in your kid. (Keep in mind that a lot of different websites contributed to the following material.)
Statistics on Teen and Child Depression
Approximately 8.3% of American adolescents experience depressive symptoms.
Among young people, suicide ranks third in terms of mortality rate.
Depression may affect up to one in eight teenagers and one in thirty-three children. These numbers have grown over the last nine years (Center for Mental Health Services, 1996).
Kids can benefit just as much as adults from treatment for severe depressive disorder. (Graham Emslie, MD, AMHA, Archives of General Psychiatry, November 15, 1997).
Childhood depression was practically unheard of twenty years ago. These days, youth depression is growing at a much faster rate than any other age group. (I am utterly terrified by this number; I am not sure about you.)
The data on depression among teenagers is alarming. One study found that 20% of children experience emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues, and another found that 10% may have a severe emotional disorder.
Even more disturbing is the fact that just 30% of these kids and teens who are dealing with behavioral and emotional issues really get help. Seventy percent of people with mental illness or emotional distress just try to get through life as best they can. There is a high suicide rate among teenagers, and many people think this is the reason why. For those between the ages of 15 and 24, suicide ranks as the third most common killer. Worryingly, it ranks as the sixth most common killer of children aged 5 to 14.
A higher risk of adult depression, contact with the criminal justice system, and even suicide can result from untreated depression.
HOW DO YOU DETECT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN CHILDREN AND ADOPTS?
Therapy, counseling, or even medication, if necessary, can alleviate depression just as well in children and teenagers as it does in adults, as we saw up there. Reiterating what I said before, studies have shown that treating depression in children and teenagers is just as successful as doing the same for adults. So, how can we, as guardians or parents, recognize these signs? What are the telltale signs of clinical depression as opposed to a "bad mood"?
If depressive symptoms continue and get in the way of a teen's or child's ability to go about their everyday lives as usual, then it is considered "real depression" and they want professional help right now. Just because a youngster or teen is in a foul mood for a few days or weeks doesn't mean you should brush it off. This does imply that you, as a parent or guardian, need to be reasonably informed about your child's or teen's typical daily activities in order to recognize any changes. What exactly constitutes a child's or adolescent's "normal daily activities"? Because I am most familiar with American generic teens and children, that is what we will be using in this. Please feel free to contribute to this list if you have any other items to add.) As you peruse it, keep in mind that your adolescent or child must exhibit "a siginficant" number of these symptoms; furthermore, they must be persistent, contrary to their character, and hinder their standard everyday activities. Does this sound familiar?
1) Being irritated and snappy to everyone, even on a seemingly random occasion.
2) Threatening someone physically or verbally at any time.
3) Giving up on regular, enjoyable pursuits like sports or hobbies.
4) An increase in children and teenagers engaging in passive TV viewing, characterized by the "thousand yard stare" and a lack of active participation in the shows.
5) An increase in risk-taking, as shown in perilous driving, unsafe tree climbing, and subsequent jumping and smashing of objects.
6) Alcohol and drug abuse. Kids in particular "escape" through substance abuse. one (1)
7) Changes in how adolescents behave in the classroom, on the job, and in social situations; changes in how preschoolers interact with one another and the environment (for example, a child who used to enjoy playing with clay and coloring now prefers to sit alone with a stuffed animal and suck their thumb).
8) Many absences from school, lower grades than before, more class skips, etc. When a child's interests shift, they may engage in previously unrelated behaviors (such as doodling on paper instead of coloring within the lines) or even destructive ones.
9) A child whose focus slips when it previously wasn't an issue; a teenager who complains of boredom. A once-silent child now stands up and roams about during group reading.
10) Begins to act out in class, affecting both younger and older students.
eleven) Has trouble focusing. Easily loses focus and has mental confusion. Deals with decision-making with difficulty. For example, a youngster may become stuck trying to match blocks by color when they used to be able to do it easily, or they may find it difficult to decide between playing ball and jumping rope, even though they used to always chose the former. Surely you are capable of coming up with your own instances.
12) Teen who has trouble remembering and hence frequently misses appointments. When I was a kid, I completely forgot to bring home my papers, even though I used to do it EVERY DAY. I also can't remember people's home addresses or phone numbers, even though I've known them for months or even years.
Thirteen) Is clumsy or has trouble remaining still. A youngster and an adolescent would both be affected by this. Imagine a youngster or adolescent who is always on the go, fidgeting, trembling, shaking one or both feet, picking up objects, etc. AND/OR the kid or teen who, once again, sits or lies with that thousand yard gaze. Additionally, your teen or youngster is displaying strange conduct.
14) Shifts in how you interact with those closest to you. Antagonism or passivity are common ways this shift shows themselves. Fighting when previously s/he didn't; or responding to your questions with "whatever" when previously s/he was cooperative. (Remember, your adolescent or youngster probably has more than just this symptom; you shouldn't pick out just one.)
15) Fades out of social life and no longer wants to go on group adventures.
16. Change in sexual activity, either more or less (ideally, an older adolescent).
17) Befriending a different set of peers (the "bad influence" crowd as an adolescent, the "rowdy" kids when you were a kid) may begin.
18) Quits enjoying things they used to enjoy.
As compared to the norm, there have been more arguments with family members.
20) Alterations to sleep and food routines.
21) Unsuitably conveys sentiments of shame, inferiority, worthlessness, or failure. (It is plausible to me in adolescence, but I am unsure of how it might manifest in a younger age group). Please inform us if you are able to do so.
22) Shows that there is no future and that one is despondent.
23) Uses slow, monotone, or monosyllabic speech.
24) Is reclusive and self-absorbed.
25, feels lonely or alone, cries easily, and appears sad.
26) Worries too much about failing miserably.
27) Afraid of making a mistake. For example, a youngster may start wetting the bed after years of dry spells, develop a phobia of the dark or "things that go bump in the night" after years of being fearless, etc.
27) Cases of accidental harm to oneself. Concepts of ending one's own life. (It is my deepest wish that I will never have to imagine what this might be like for a kid.)
WHAT A SUPERVISOR OR PARENT CAN DO
If you want to be a good parent, the first thing you need do is get to know your teen or child's routine and typical daily activities so you can notice any changes. The second thing is to listen:
1) Pay attention when your kids are talking; 2) Take the time to listen to what they have to say; 3) Get involved in their extracurricular activities; 4) Go to the movies or concerts with them and talk about it afterwards; 5) Get to know their friends and listen to what they have to say; 6) Avoid lecturing, unsolicited advice, and ultimatums; and 7) Instead of trying to talk them out of their feelings, ask them to describe them.
It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyhow: familiarize yourself with your teen's or child's symptoms listed above. Additional actions that you, as a parent or guardian, can take are as follows.
8) Keep in touch with your child's day care on a regular basis to get a feel for their schedule and to ask for updates when things change.
9) If your child is a teen, make it a point to attend each and every one of their parent-teacher conferences. This will give you a better idea of what a typical school day looks like, and you can ask to be notified right away if something unusual happens.
10) Get to know your child's or teen's friends, whether they're in elementary school or high school; consider your house a "gathering place" for them; meet the parents of their friends' children or teenagers; and make a pact to inform one other if you see a change in behavior.
11) No matter what, it's a good idea to keep a journal of any changes you notice. This can help you explain the problem to professionals with more clarity and specificity if necessary.
12-React with love, compassion, and encouragement if you suspect your kid or adolescent is going through difficulties that might result in depression.
13) In age-appropriate ways (to paraphrase Dr. Phil), make it clear to your child or teen that you are always available to help them.
14) If your adolescent avoids you, make another attempt, but be gentle. Teens suffering from depression do not want to feel crowded or patronized.
15) Once a child or adolescent starts talking, refrain from passing judgment or criticism; what matters is that they are expressing themselves. No matter how "wrong" you think someone else's feelings are, you should never criticize them. Make your feelings known; if necessary, consult an expert.
16) Foster engagement and acknowledge accomplishments.
17. If the adolescent's or child's depression doesn't go away after a while, it's important to consult a doctor or mental health expert. In this consultation, you should be ready to describe the adolescent's or child's behaviors, including how long they've persisted, how frequently they occur, and how serious they appear (this is why keeping a diary is a good idea).
18) You shouldn't sit around and hope the symptoms go gone. It is preferable to seek help and hear that your adolescent or child is doing OK than to allow them to join the 70% who never get it.
19.) It is crucial to get immediate professional care for severe depression, especially if adolescent or young person is contemplating self-harm or suicide.
19. It's possible that parents of sad teenagers would benefit from assistance as well. Connect with parent support groups that have dealt with adolescent depression.
Note (1): When we were teenagers, a few of my friends and I would change the "mark" on the bottle of alcohol with each use—usually hidden so the teens couldn't see it. We could handle the matter more effectively if we knew right away if the teenagers were drinking.
Wow, that's cool!

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