Depression Tips for Children and Parents

Depression Tip Sheet

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder, best understood as sadness and/or apathy for two weeks or more. Depression can be life-threatening, as it can lead to suicidal ideation and even suicide attempts. 

Types

There are many types of depression. Some include:

Postpartum Depression: Depression present in mothers who have recently given birth

Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD): Depression affected by the changing of the seasons

Psychotic Depression: Depression coupled with symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions or hallucinations

Bipolar Disorder: While bipolar disorder is not depression, people with bipolar disorder often experience bipolar depression, low moods that meet criteria for depression. People with bipolar disorder also experience happy or annoyed highs-called mania- or a less severe form called hypomania.

Signs and symptoms:

People with depression usually exhibit these symptoms for two or more weeks.

●      Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

●      Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

●      Irritability

●      Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

●      Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

●      Decreased energy or fatigue

●      Moving or talking more slowly

●      Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

●      Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

●      Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

●      Appetite and/or weight changes

●      Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts(If you are contemplating suicidie, call 911 or call 800-273-8255)

●      Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Not every person with depression experiences every symptom.

If you believe you suffer from depression, contact your primary care doctor. No article can substitute depression tests and/or therapeutic treatment.

References

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, February 3). Depression [Fact sheet]. Mayo Clinic. Org. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

NIMH Staff. (2018, February). Depression [Fact sheet]. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/

Torres, F., M.D. (Ed.). (2020, October). Depression. Psychiatry.org. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2020). Facts and Statistics. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Retrieved June 24, 2021, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

CDC. (2021, March). Anxiety and Depression in Children. Centers of Disease Control. Retrieved June 24, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-depression-children.html