Childhood and Adolescent Depression: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

By Dr. Michael Oberschneider

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects one in every 10 Americans. And while the CDC’s data on depression currently shows that folks residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia fall slightly below the national average, many children, adolescents and adults in our area suffer from depressive disorders.

In fact, childhood and adolescent depression is on the rise, and a 2014 survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found depression to be the number one disability and illness for adolescents worldwide. WHO’s survey also ranked suicide as the third leading cause of death worldwide for adolescents, following road/traffic injuries and HIV/AIDS, respectively. Moreover, research has shown that about half of those who suffer from mental health conditions later in life showed symptoms by 14 years of age.

While the exact cause(s) of childhood and adolescent depression is not entirely known, research has identified a number of factors that are believed to contribute to the development of formal depression including: genetics and biology, social anxiety and peer pressure, academic pressure, traumatic events, romantic relationship struggles, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, separating or divorcing parents, family financial struggles, physical or emotional neglect or abuse and other sorts of early life and family of origin struggles (e.g., moving, blended family dynamics, significant losses).

Research studies have also shown that children and adolescents who suffer from depression are at a higher risk for experiencing other sorts of problems and conditions – anxiety, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and substance use disorders, as well as social and conduct problems.

The 2013-2014 Fairfax County Youth Survey assessed 47,084 Fairfax County Public School Students in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades across several areas of functioning. Overall, youth in the 10th and 12th grades who participated in the survey endorsed higher rates of depression for themselves compared to their same aged peers nationally. And females who participated reported higher rates of depression for all of the assessed grades than the male students. Interestingly, the trend for higher rates of depression for females was also consistent for all races. The percentage of students in the 10th and 12th grades in Fairfax who considered suicide was also higher than the U.S. average.

Depression Signs and Symptoms

While depression can mean something different and may even look different for individuals of all ages, parents should keep a watchful eye out for the following signs and behaviors for their children and adolescents:

• Extreme personality changes
• Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Significant loss or gain in appetite
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Difficulty falling asleep or wanting to sleep all day
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Neglect of personal appearance or hygiene
• Sadness, irritability, or indifference
• Extreme anxiety or panic
• Poor school performance
• Difficulty paying attention and concentrating or making decisions
• Thinking or talking about death and/or suicide
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Curiosity with or experimentation with drugs or alcohol

When to Consider Getting Help

It is a good thing to trust your parental instincts or intuition, if you feel that your child or adolescent may be depressed. I recommend meeting with a child psychiatrist or child psychologist if the problems are (1) impacting your child or teen across the important areas of his or her life, and (2) if your efforts to provide support as a parent(s) have not improved things within a reasonable amount of time.

Research has shown that individual Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IT) are considered to be the most effective therapies in treating depression. Depending on one’s circumstances and needs, family therapy may also prove to be helpful in reducing depressive symptomatology and bringing about improved personal wellbeing. Mental health research studies have also repeatedly shown psychiatric medication to be very successful in the treatment of childhood and adolescent depression, especially for severe range depression. Several research studies have shown that a combination of medication and therapy together brings about the most meaningful and lasting changes for depression.

Dr. Michael Oberschneider is the founder and director of Ashburn Psychological and Psychiatric Services. Send questions to moberschneider@hotmail.com.