Lots of help is on hand for depression

Q: I think my son may be depressed and I’m not sure what to do to help him. A: Depression is something that affects children and teens, not just adults. In fact, 0.5 percent of kids 3-5 years of age, 1.4% of kids 6-11 years of age and 5-11 percent of adolescents 12-17 years of age (shockingly, almost 20 percent of teenage girls) suffer from depression. Depression can run in families so your son may be at increased risk if a first-degree relative has had anxiety or depression, including postpartum depression. Kids and teens often will not tell you outright that they are depressed, so it can be helpful to know some of the warning signs.

Depression can be exhibited differently in kids and teens. In younger children, the symptoms may include: sadness and irritability; increased daytime sleep and less nighttime sleep; no longer enjoying things that made them happy; isolating themselves; fatigue or low energy; exhibiting low self-esteem; decreased focus or drop in grades; complaining of physical aches and pains with no identifiable cause; seeming uncaring about the future; and thoughts of death or suicide.

Symptoms in teens may include: increased or decreased sleep; change in eating habits; weight gain or loss; moodiness with unexpected crying or angry outbursts; drop in grades; abandoning friends, social groups or activities; excessive secrecy, paranoia or isolation; neglect of personal appearance or responsibilities; self-mutilation (e.g., cutting arms or legs); using drugs or alcohol; and talking about selfharm or suicide.

A positive first step is to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or health care provider. He or she should take a thorough history, perform a physical examination and may order lab tests to evaluate for a medical cause of your son’s depressed mood. Additionally, a depression screening test may be performed to assist in making a diagnosis. It is important to

note that asking about suicidal ideation will not increase the risk of it happening. Treatment can be approached from multiple sides, including psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medication.

There are different types of trained professionals who can assist in treating depression: a psychiatrist (medical doctor specializing in mental health care who can prescribe medication); a psychologist (someone with a Doctorate degree who makes diagnoses, and performs psychotherapy and assessments); a clinical social worker (a person with a Master’s degree in Social Work who is a licensed counselor, and can perform psychotherapy and social work); a psychiatric nurse (a Registered Nurse who specializes in psychiatry, performs psychotherapy, and can often prescribe medication); and a licensed professional counselor (someone with a Master’s Degree who has thousands of hours of clinical experience in counseling). These essential and talented individuals can provide evidence-based treatments to help your child with coping skills, identifying and helping him work through difficulties, identifying how relationships affect mood and vice-versa, and understanding how thoughts, behaviors and emotions are linked. The goal is to learn tools that he can use for the rest of his life and length of psychotherapy is usually 3 to 6 months. Additionally, school counselors can be a great resource for your child.

Lifestyle changes that promote health and help with mood are incredibly important, as well. Some healthy changes may include: adopting a healthier diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular exercise, encouraging connections with others and limiting screen time. While these changes seem very basic, they can make a big impact on overall mood. If psychotherapy and lifestyle changes are not enough to treat your child’s depression, medication may be necessary.

At home, I encourage you to talk with and listen to your children with love and support. Some coping skills you may assist them in developing are: relaxation, focusing on their strengths, helping them to describe their feelings, looking at their problems in a different more positive way, and breaking down their problems into smaller more manageable steps. Lock up medication and weapons, separating ammunition from the firearm. There is a much higher suicide success rate in homes with firearms. In addition, make sure they have trusted contacts to call if they are feeling worse and teach them to share their concerns with you if their friends are depressed or suicidal. You CAN help your child build protective factors and resilience.