Depression can happen to anyone.
It doesn’t mean your child is weak or crazy. And depression can be treated — the sooner, the better! Seek support. Those who can help include:
- Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors
- Peer support groups
- Hospital psychiatry departments
- Mental health programs at universities
- State hospital outpatient clinics
- Employee help programs
- Emergency room doctors
Most insurance plans cover treatment for depression. Call to find out what’s covered under your plan. If you don’t have insurance, call your local or county government office to learn if treatment is available at a health center or clinic. Medicaid plans also may pay for depression treatment.
Three types of depression
Getting properly diagnosed is very important in treating depression. Getting a second opinion is okay, too.
Major depressive disorder
Major depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least two weeks. These symptoms include: feeling sad, hopeless, worthless and pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression have behavior changes, and new eating and sleeping patterns. Depression can also appear as anger and discouragement, rather than as feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Symptoms may be based on feelings of guilt, inadequacy or disease.
Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)
Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The “mood swings” between mania and depression can be very abrupt. The depressed phase of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms of major depression. There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can worsen the symptoms.
Dysthymic disorder (less severe than major depression)
Dysthymia is a chronic type of depression in which a person’s moods are regularly low. However, it is not as extreme as other types of depression. The main symptom of dysthymia is low, dark or sad mood nearly every day for at least two years. Dysthymia can occur alone or together with more severe depression or another mood or psychiatric disorder.
Depression warning signs
Depression can lead to eating disorders, school and social problems, isolation, physical symptoms and even suicide.
If your teen shows five or more of these signs, he or she may be depressed:
- Sadness, anxiousness, excessive crying
- Noticeable weight gain or loss, or a change in eating habits
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems, body pains
- Irritability, moodiness
- Sleeping too much or too little, waking up several times a night
- Unusually low energy
- Comments on feelings of being helpless, hopeless or worthless
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Difficulty concentrating on homework and other tasks
- Difficulty in making decisions
Suicide warning signs
- Previous suicide attempts
- Any kind of family history of suicide or attempted suicide
- A psychiatric disorder (90 percent of people who complete suicide have a treatable illness, such as depression)
- Statements about feeling helpless, hopeless or worthless
- Statements such as “I’m a burden to others,” or “you’d be better off without me”
- A loss of interest in activities
- Impulsivity
- Behaviors or statements that indicate “good-byes”
- Talking about death
- Listening to songs about death; creating artwork related to death
- Using alcohol or drugs; driving fast
- Exhibiting risky behavior, such as cutting or hurting himself or herself
- Giving away valued possessions
Resource: www.medlineplus.gov