Depression Symptoms
Depression involves an unusually low mood for an extended period of time. There are different categories of depressive disorders, but people who have depression typically experience negative mood, irritability, loss of interest in activities, loss of pleasure, trouble concentrating, and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Thoughts of death and suicide are common. They may also experience physical symptoms, such as feeling tired or fatigued, changes in appetite, changes in sleep, and pain. Depression is often a chronic condition, meaning that it first shows up in childhood or adolescence, and then comes back periodically throughout life. Thus, one of the most important goals of therapy is to help clients to recognize when depression is starting and to take active steps to keep it from spiraling.
Depression is relatively uncommon in children before puberty, and becomes more common with age. However, children who are depressed may express it differently than adults and teens. They may become more irritable, cry a lot, and act aggressively. They often show school problems, such as a drop in grades and not wanting to go to school. Children and teens with depression often have other diagnoses, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavior disorders. Young children may have trouble expressing their emotions, and so are less likely than teens and adults to recognize depression and ask for help. Therefore, it is important that parents pay attention to symptoms and seek a professional evaluation if they suspect a child is depressed.
Depression is relatively uncommon in children before puberty, and becomes more common with age. However, children who are depressed may express it differently than adults and teens. They may become more irritable, cry a lot, and act aggressively. They often show school problems, such as a drop in grades and not wanting to go to school. Children and teens with depression often have other diagnoses, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavior disorders. Young children may have trouble expressing their emotions, and so are less likely than teens and adults to recognize depression and ask for help. Therefore, it is important that parents pay attention to symptoms and seek a professional evaluation if they suspect a child is depressed.
Treatment of Depression
The gold standard for depression treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. Treatment is relatively structured, and involves the following components:
1) Assessment of depression severity and any risk of danger to self
2) Activity Planning: Scheduling activities daily that bring enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment
3) Learning to identify distorted thoughts that are the "voice of depression" and developing more accurate and helpful ways of thinking
4) Scheduling positive social activities and practicing social skills to improve relationships
5) Understanding one's "depression risk recipe" and ways to recognize the early signs of depression to avoid relapse
6) Addressing underlying problems that are related to depression, including lack of exercise, poor diet, poor sleep, and other medical issues. This is done through coordinating care with a physician. A physician may also recommend an antidepressant medication, which can be helpful in conjunction with therapy for moderate to severe depression.
1) Assessment of depression severity and any risk of danger to self
2) Activity Planning: Scheduling activities daily that bring enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment
3) Learning to identify distorted thoughts that are the "voice of depression" and developing more accurate and helpful ways of thinking
4) Scheduling positive social activities and practicing social skills to improve relationships
5) Understanding one's "depression risk recipe" and ways to recognize the early signs of depression to avoid relapse
6) Addressing underlying problems that are related to depression, including lack of exercise, poor diet, poor sleep, and other medical issues. This is done through coordinating care with a physician. A physician may also recommend an antidepressant medication, which can be helpful in conjunction with therapy for moderate to severe depression.
What About Bipolar Disorder?
Clients often ask if they or their child have bipolar disorder. Fortunately, the answer is usually NO- bipolar disorder is serious and relatively rare. Although there are different types of bipolar disorders, generally, we see an elevated or irritable mood that is very different from the normal state, lasting a week and usually longer. During that period, which is called a "manic episode" the person behaves in ways that can be very worrisome, such as not sleeping, having very distorted beliefs (such as having magic powers, being able to fly, or being famous), and acting in risky, dangerous ways. Then, following the manic period, the person experiences depression, often lasting for weeks or months. Most of the time, what appears to be bipolar disorder is really intense moods that seem unpredictable and sudden. This is not the same as bipolar disorder. Intense moodiness can be a symptom of other disorders, and a professional evaluation can help to determine the likely problem.