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w w w . s t h e l e n a h o s p i t a l c l e a r l a k e . o r g | 5
Depression in kids can look different than in
adults.
“Kids and adults alike can seem very sad or
lose pleasure in things they once enjoyed,” Dr. Anderson
says. “But in contrast to adults, kids may appear more
irritable than usual, rather than noticeably sad.” They
may also have more physical complaints, such as
stomachaches or headaches. That’s especially true in
children who don’t talk much about their emotions.
Symptoms may vary with age.
Younger kids
may refuse to go to school. “They may also cling to a
caregiver,” Dr. Anderson says. “Or they might worry
excessively that a parent may die.” Teens may sulk, be
negative or complain that they feel misunderstood. Their
grades may drop, and they may get in trouble at school.
They may also engage in risky activities: reckless driving,
shoplifting, and drinking or using drugs.
Some kids are more vulnerable than others.
“Sometimes depression is hereditary, meaning it can run
in families,” Dr. Anderson says. Children with behavior
problems or anxiety are also more prone to depression.
And after puberty, girls are twice as likely as boys to
suffer from depression.
Kids aren’t to blame for their mood.
Depression
isn’t the result of a character flaw. And it’s not a sign of
weakness. “It’s a medical illness — like heart disease
or diabetes,” Dr. Anderson says. Researchers believe
that it may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in
Not so long ago, childhood depression was hardly on anyone’s radar. Teens struggling with
depression were often dismissed as merely being moody or difficult. Many believed that young
children simply couldn’t sink into a full-blown depression.
“Now doctors know that childhood depression is not only possible but far more common than we
suspected,” says psychiatrist Bruce Anderson, MD, who practices at St. Helena Family Health Center
Clearlake. In fact, research shows that nationwide about 1 out of every 20 children and teens is
coping with depression right now.
Here are seven key facts every parent needs to know about childhood depression:
the brain. That imbalance might be triggered by several
things, such as genes passed down in families or
something stressful: divorce, for example. “Sometimes
there is no obvious cause,” Dr. Anderson says.
Depression needs to be treated.
“Left untreated,
depression can linger for months or longer,” Dr. Anderson
says. “And depressed kids can lose friends and act
out at school and elsewhere.” They may even consider
suicide.
Treatment is effective.
“Treatment can help most
depressed kids feel like themselves again,” Dr. Anderson
says. For a mild depression, that treatment might only
involve therapy—for the child alone or perhaps together
with the family. For more severe depression, treatment
may also include medication. But whatever form it takes,
the earlier treatment starts, generally the better the
results, Dr. Anderson says.
You can help.
“Talk to your child about his or her
feelings and things that might be happening —
with friends, at school, or at home — that might be
upsetting,” says Dr. Anderson. “Help your child feel safe
and supported.” Most important, if there’s any chance
your child is experiencing depression, tell your child’s
doctor right away.
To learn more about adult or childhood depression or to
find resources that can help, contact us at 707.995.4500.
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