Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Depression is not caused by personal weakness, laziness, or lack of motivation. It is also not the fault of the child, the teen, or the parent. It is a serious yet treatable mental health condition that can affect anyone.
Depression can affect people of any age, including children and teens. About 15 percent of teens experience depression within a given year. Depression is generally more common in girls than in boys, and in older teens than in younger children.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression in children and teens?
Depression tends show up differently in children and teens than in adults. While the following symptoms may show up as a part of day-to-day mood fluctuations, we become concerned when several signs show up together and persist for a week or longer. Some of the possible signs include :
Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time - in young people, irritable mood or withdrawn behavior can be more evident than outwardly sad mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy
Low self-esteem, feeling worthless excessively guilty
Touble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Sleep or appetite disruption
Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm*
*Any presence of self-harm can be a flag that mental health intervention is needed.
How is Depression Treated?
One of the most well-estabished treatments for depression is Behavior Activation (BA). BA is a type of therapy that helps teens with depression increase their engagement in enjoyable and meaningful activities. The goal is to reduce the negative effects of low mood, such as withdrawal, isolation, and lack of motivation, by creating a positive feedback loop between behavior and mood. Behavior activation can help teens:
Identify and prioritize activities that are aligned with their values and interests
Schedule and plan activities that are achievable and rewarding
Monitor and track their mood and activity levels
Overcome barriers and challenges that prevent them from engaging in activities
Increase their exposure to positive reinforcement and social support
Teens who experience suicidal ideation and/ or self-harm may need additional treatment approaches that teach problem-solving and emotion regulation skills. When it comes to depressed children or teens, we often involve parents in the treatment. An important aspect of treatment can be to improve communication at home and strengthen connections within the family.