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Article Series: Depression
I'm Depressed. It Sucks. Help Me.
How
Can Depressed Children Be Successfully Treated?
Children can suffer from symptoms of depression
too. These symptoms may not manifest themselves the way that
adult depression does, but it’s definitely a problem that can
be very disruptive if not treated quickly and properly. Depression
children might lose interest in school, friends and family
and display emotions that interfere with their lives.
Depression children are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
as simply going through a phase, but if a child is exhibiting
anger, sadness or mood swings on a regular or constant basis,
a pediatrician should be consulted. This is especially true
if the child expresses thoughts of death or suicide.
Some depression children may resort to alcohol or drug use
to relieve the symptoms of depression. He or she will usually
experience a down turn in academic performance and may have
no friends or a different set of friends who are also using
drugs or alcohol. Most children under 12 years of age aren’t
at risk for attempting suicide, but if a child becomes especially
angry or upset, he or she could be in danger.
Keep in mind that children in families with a history of depression
might exhibit symptoms earlier than other children. Also, depression
children are at greater risk if they come from an abusive or
hectic home environment. Tell your doctor about these problems
if you suspect that your child might be depressed. A mental
health evaluation might be in order.
A mental health evaluation will include the parents as well
as the child and sometimes information is also gathered from
teachers and friends to show how the child’s life has been
disrupted by these symptoms. Parents and children might be
given quizzes or questionnaires to fill out for evaluation
purposes. Be sure and answer any and all questions honestly
so that your doctor can make the best diagnosis.
Treatment
options for depression children include counseling
and/or prescriptions. Parents may be counseled to make environmental
changes for the good of the child. Counseling and environmental
changes may be the first suggestions a doctor makes because
of the risks associated with antidepressant medications.
If your child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a type of
depression that causes severe mood swings, he might be treated
with a combination of methods such as counseling, antidepressants
and mood stabilizers. Be sure and talk to your physician extensively
if you have questions about any treatment that he recommends.
Depression seems to be on the rise in children and you should
confer with your health care provider if you have any reason
to suspect that your child might be suffering from this disorder.
Parents should be especially attentive to depression children
and seek effective treatment. Click here to learn exactly how to eliminate your depression and experience relief and happiness. Stop struggling and put yourself on a better path in life today. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation. Also, here is a complimentary guide to get you started (PDF format).
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2010
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