From Blue to You Depression in Children and Adolescents

Vignette Meet 16-year-old Lindsay

What’s going on with Lindsay? Lindsay does not feel like herself Her behavior is changing She is dropping out of her favorite activities Lindsay is always tired, but has a hard time sleeping

She cannot concentrate or motivate herself to do homework Lindsay cries a lot but she doesn’t know why She is also eating a lot to try and comfort herself, so she is gaining weight which makes her feel worse. What’s going on with Lindsay?

What is depression? A common mental disorder or illness Involves the body, mood, and thoughts

What depression is not Lindsay is not having a passing blue mood. Lindsay is not experiencing adolescent “moodiness.”

Is depression common? Lindsay is not alone One in every 33 children (2.5 percent) One in eight adolescents (8.3 percent)

What are the symptoms? Physical symptoms Emotional symptoms Psychosocial symptoms

Symptoms differ based on age and development of youth Preschool School age Adolescence / High school

Stigma Embarrassment Concerns about peer group/friends

Treatment Talk therapy Medication therapy Combination: talk and medication therapy

Talk therapy Address mental, social, and environmental roots of depression Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Psychoeducational family programs

Medication therapy Prescription medication to treat the biological and chemical causes of depression SSRIs Careful and frequent monitoring needed

Combination therapy Lindsay participates in talk therapy plus medicationLindsay participates in talk therapy plus medication Consistently shown to be most effectiveConsistently shown to be most effective

Where to go for help Health care professional Social services Online

Online Resources –Support groups group –Chat rooms –Blogs –Websites

Find support and get professional help –Primary care provider Talk with Lindsay Listen to her If you were Lindsay’s family member, what could you do to help?

Help Lindsay with treatment Plan and prepare healthy meals Be active together and go out If you were Lindsay’s family member, what could you do to help?

References The Brown University (2002) The Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 18, 4. Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from 54&ContentID=23039&lstid= &ContentID=23039&lstid=326 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from NMHA (2008). Children’s Mental Health Statistics. Mental Health America NIMH (2008). What Are the Symptoms of Depression? NIMH (2008). How do children and adolescents experience depression? depression.shtml depression.shtml Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information center.com/Depression/statistics.htmhttp:// center.com/Depression/statistics.htm Ryan, N. (2003). About mental illness: Depression in adolescents and children. Retrieved from entID= entID=17623 Sarafolean, M. H. (2000). Depression in School-Age Children and Adolescents: Characteristics, Assessment and Prevention. In A Pediatric Perspective, July/August 2000 Volume 9 Number 4

Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD former Assistant Professor Department of Family Studies Ester Edwards, BS Graduate student Department of Family Studies Leslie Crofford, MD Professor, College of Medicine April 2010 Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration. For More Information…