Major Depression in Children & Adolescents

Written by: Angela Lacalamita, MA, LCPC

Major depression has increased significantly over the years. Recent studies suggest that by the time adolescents reach the end of their teen years, 20 % will have will have had depression. Depression impacts adolescents regardless of gender, social background, income level, or race, though some reports indicate that teenage girls report suffering from depression more often than teenage boys.

Depression affects a young person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors and body. It can lead to emotional and behavioral problems. If depression is left untreated, it can lead to academic failure,   substance use and even suicide. 

Some signs of depression often include:

Hopelessness

Sadness or bouts of crying

Loss of interest in activities which were previously enjoyable

Academic difficulty

Suicidal thinking

Irritability

Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

Lack of energy

Changes with appetite and/or sleep

Aches and pains such as headaches or stomach aches that don’t seem to go away

The most common treatments used to treat depression are counseling and/or use of medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a specific type of therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression. The use of anti-depressant medication has also been shown to be effective in treating depression. However these medications may have serious side effects in children and adolescents and should be discussed with a medical doctor. 

If you suspect your child or adolescent suffers from depression, seek assistance from a mental health professional or speak to your pediatrician. If you suspect your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 immediately.