Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression. It is important to know the symptoms, reactions and treatments for depression. Many people believe depression only affects adults. Unfortunately, Depression affects children and adults alike.
At first, depression in a child or teen may appear as irritability, sadness, or sudden unexplained crying. He or she may lose interest in activities once enjoyed in the past or may feel unloved and hopeless. Some adolescents may also have problems in school and become defiant or withdrawn. Whereas others function normally without any display of mood change. When it comes to depression not all reactions are the same. Research has shown that teens are more likely to exhibit increased irritability, aggressiveness or destructive behavior more so than that found in younger children.
Depression in adults is more of an encompassing sadness, and affects them in ways similar to those in children and teens, Many adults tend to handle depression better than. Although, studies cannot prove this. There are everyday circumstances that can influence behavior in children and contribute to depression. Things such as feeling like they don’t fit in or feeling worthless. These feelings can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, violence and even suicide. A hypothesis on depression shows that depression is hought to be caused by an influence of chemicals called neurotransmitters that send messages between nerve cells in the brain. If these mood-influencing chemicals get out of balance, depression or other mood disorders can result. Symptoms of depression are difficult for each individual; not everyone experiences the same symptoms.
Some people experience few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with each person based on their experiences. The most common symptoms are persistent sadness, feeling of guilt. rouble concentrating, remembering, insomnia, helplessness, appetite loss and weight gain, thoughts of death or suicide. Decision making is greatly affected by symptoms such as those listed; which can be the cause of violence and the violent behavior in teens and children. Psychologist have developed different treatments to assist children and teens suffering from depression. Symptoms of depression in adolescents and children are feelings of guilt, persistent sadness and worthlessness to name a few.
Many young people as if they do not fit in with their peers. These feelings can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, violence and even suicide. When it comes to the symptoms of depression, not everyone experiences each one. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with each individual. A more extended list of symptoms include a loss of interest, decreased energy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, remembering, weight gain or weight loss. With continuing studies on depression this list continues to grow.
Depression is thought to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals called neurotransmitters that send messages between nerve cells in the brain. If these mood- influencing chemicals get out of balance, depression or other mood disorders can result. Experts have not yet identified why neurotransmitters become imbalanced. They believe a change can occur as a response to stress or illness. But a change may also occur with no obvious trigger. Depression can be treated with medicine although experts believe that, for many children and teens the benefits of medicine outweigh the risks.
The long-term effects and safety of medicine used to treat depression in adolescents is unknown. Determining the correct underlying diagnosis will allow the clinician to select the appropriate treatment recommendations. Depression is treatable through ongoing interventions provided by a child’s medical practitioners, therapists, school staff, and family. These treatments include psychological interventions (counseling), biological interventions (medicines), and accommodations at home and school that reduce sources of stress for the child.
Open, collaborative communication between a child’s family, school, and clinicians optimizes the care and quality of life for the child with depression. The best way to handle depression at home is to do everything possible to provide a positive family environment love, understanding and regular communication are some of the most important things you can do to help your child or teen cope with depression. Counseling can help children with depression, and everyone around them, to understand that symptoms of depression are caused by an illness with complex genetic and environmental origins not by flawed attitude or personality.
Counseling also can reduce the impact of symptoms on daily life. A variety of psychological interventions can be helpful, and parents should discuss their child’s particular needs with their clinician to determine which psychological treatments could be most beneficial for their child. There are many different treatments for depression such as Antidepressants which are The most commonly prescribed including Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft belong to a group of medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRI’s.
Other commonly prescribed antidepressants include Effexor, Remeron, and Wellbutrin. Antipsychotic medications, these medications (also called neuroleptics) may be prescribed if persistent and unusual worries develop, such as the fear of being harmed by others, or if the sensation develops of hearing or seeing things that are not really present. Examples of these drugs are Abilify, Geodon, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa. The use of these medications in teens and children are controversial where the risk out way the outcome in many cases.
There are other ways to help treat depression other than with medication; listen to the child’s feelings without judgment sympathetically to let them know you care and are there for them, simplify home life try to keep busy occupy the mind, address comments about suicide immediately should they arise, allow the child to express all feelings and encourage them to come to you. Knowing that they are loved and have the support of family will help prevent relapse or future episodes.