Children and teenagers are generally happy and well-adjusted in their everyday lives. Children will enjoy laughing, playing and having fun with friends and family in their normal lives. While the majority of children lead happy and healthy lives, an estimated 10–15% of children or teenagers suffer from some form of depression before adulthood. Here’s some information that could prove beneficial in helping children and teens deal with depression.
About Depression
Depression is an illness which can cause problems in a child’s daily life by providing feelings of sadness or loneliness. A depressive illness can inhibit people from interacting with friends, family, and others. In addition, depression can lead to an inability to function properly in your personal and school life. However, with treatment, children and teens can learn to live more productive and stable lives.
There are several different types of depression in children and teens. They include major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorders. Each type presents different kinds of problems and symptoms. Some of the symptoms that parents should look for include continuous feelings of sadness, being sensitive to rejection, becoming irritable and changes in appetite or sleep. These symptoms can be a result of various factors in a child’s life such as mental illness, family history, abuse, serious illness or loss of a parent.
Once a licensed professional can identify depression in a child or teen, the next step is treating the disorder. Generally speaking, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier the treatment options. In many cases, depression in children and teenagers can be treated with individual or family therapy sessions. In addition to therapy, children or teens may benefit from prescription anti-depressant medication.
Helping Children and Teens Deal with Depression
Morningside Recovery provides comprehensive mental health treatment options that have proven to be effective in helping children and teens deal with depression. In addition to compassionate depression treatment, we offer:
- Anxiety treatment
- Bipolar disorder treatment
- Personality disorder treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring conditions
Helping children and teens deal with depression starts with a phone call. Reach out to Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135.
