Program & Services

Child & Teen Depression

Feeling sad instead of glad

Depression or "the blues"

Depression can start out as "the blues" or feeling sad. Everyone feels sad from time to time. Sadness can happen after stressful events. It lasts for a short time. A bad day or an argument can make you feel sad for a while.

If the sad feeling does not go away, you may have more than just "the blues." If sadness gets in the way of your daily routine, you may have more than just "the blues." Sadness or stress can lead to depression. Depression affects the way we eat, sleep and live our lives. Without help, signs of depression can last for weeks, months or years. Depression is a serious medical condition. Head and stomach aches can be a part of depression. Depression can be life threatening. Two-thirds of depressed young people do not get the help they need.

Causes of depression

Doctors do not know what causes depression. It is thought that it could run in families. Major losses or setbacks could make it worse.

Doctors know that depression is not a sign of weakness. Children and teens with depression can not just snap out of it. Depression is no one's fault.

Risk factors

Doctors do not know which children and teens will develop depression, but they do know that some have a higher risk. The risk is higher in children who have parents with depression. It is also higher in children who are in the hospital a lot.

Once a young person has had depression, he or she is more likely to have it again, often within the next five years.

Other factors that make children and teens more likely to have depression are:

• Family history of drug and alcohol abuse
• Problems with grades or getting into trouble at school
• Being separated from a parent or caretaker
• Problems with friends and/or boy- or girlfriends
• Major health problems
• Fighting in the family or not having positive feelings at home
• A negative outlook

Help is available

The most common treatments for depression are:

• Talk therapy. This means talking with someone about what is going on in your life. Studies show that most people begin to feel better soon.
• Medicine. Medicine for depression is very helpful. Most people will start to feel better in a few weeks.
• Both. Talking and medicine can be better than either one alone.

Recently, parents have noticed "black box" warnings on some medicines. They worry that these medicines might cause thoughts of suicide. The American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry want you to know that these medicines are important. They can help people with depression. They can also save lives. It's a good idea to know the side effects and warning signs for any medicine and watch for warning signs when doses are changed. Talk about any worries with your doctor.

Depression checklist

Signs of child and teen depression may be different from those seen in adults. Early signs can be hard to notice. Signs of depression in children and teens can include:

• Missing school or getting bad grades
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Loss of interest or pleasure in things once enjoyed
• Often feeling sad, empty or in a bad mood
• Being unable to think clearly
• Forgetting things
• Not being able to make decisions
• Feeling worthless or guilty much of the time
• Frequent head or stomach aches or pains
• Lack of energy or motivation
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
• Attempts to hurt oneself
• Play that involves sad themes
• Giving away toys or other valued things

Young people who are depressed have a higher risk of suicide. This is why it is important to get help if you think your child or teen is depressed.

Parents and adults can help

If you think a child or teen is depressed, you should:

• Have the child talk with a child's mental health provider. Or, have the child speak with his or her primary care physician.
• Get information from libraries, hot lines and other sources.
• Learn what support is available to you and your child.
• Talk to other families that can give you advice and support.
• Join a support group. Call the National Mental Health Association at (800) 969-NMHA (6642) for information or, if you're a Maricopa County, Arizona resident, call Magellan of Arizona at (800) 564-5465, TTY (800) 424-9831.

GET HELP FOR THE CHILD OR TEEN RIGHT AWAY IF HE OR SHE IS THINKING OF HURTING HIM OR HERSELF OR OTHERS.

If you're currenty in Maricopa County, Arizona, and you or your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the Maricopa Crisis Line at (800) 631-1314, TTY (800) 327-9254. Please remember, always call 911 in the case of emergencies.