From Blue to YouFrom Blue to YouFrom Blue to YouFrom Blue to You

Depression in Children and Depression in Children and AdolescentsAdolescents

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Meet 16-year-oldLindsay

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 Lindsay participates in talk therapy plus medicationmedication

• 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

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/depression-teen/support-group– Chat rooms

http://www.teen-moods.net– Blogs

http://www.wingofmadness.com– Websites

http://www.depressedteens.com

• 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

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326

• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016• NMHA (2008). Children’s Mental Health Statistics. Mental Health America

http://www1.nmha.org/children/prevent/stats.cfm• NIMH (2008). What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/symptoms.shtml• NIMH (2008). How do children and adolescents experience depression?

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/how-do-children-and-adolescents-experience-depression.shtml

• Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm

• Ryan, N. (2003). About mental illness: Depression in adolescents and children. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=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 http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/children.asp

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, PhDformer Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Family Studies

Ester Edwards, BSGraduate studentDepartment of Family Studies

Leslie Crofford, MDProfessor, 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.

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