Identifying Childhood or Teen Depression

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Friday, July 17, 2009
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Though children can show signs of passing sadness, we typically think of depression as an adult disorder. Children and teens can however, suffer from depression, and about 5% of children and teens, suffer from depression at any given point in time. Certain children may be at risk for depr...

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This is really needed information...
Merely Me
Friday, July 17, 2009 at 04:37 PM

Thanks for posting this...and especially the list of symptoms. We have quite a few members who ask about how depression manifests in children or teens and now I can refer them to your post.

re: This is really needed information...
The HealthGal
Friday, July 17, 2009 at 04:48 PM

It's good to know someone is assessing kids/teens for this condition.

Here's to the future...
LyraStorm
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 01:43 AM

It's a pity that people don't really see these things - I unfortunately fit quite a lot on that list as a kid and no one noticed... I hope that things will look better in the future with more information like this becoming available and thus making people notice...

re: Here's to the future...
The HealthGal
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 06:12 PM

So, so sorry to hear that. I also hope that early recognition and just knowing the risk factors will help others identify and treat kids and teens earlier. I hope you did get help at some point and appreciate your feelings on the subject.

depression in kids
BusyMom
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 09:20 AM

I have 3 boys, 15, 13, and 10. My 13 year old has been hospitalized 3 times in the last year because of depression and they keep releasing him, not because he is healthy, but because he is "stable". My problem is there are no Dr's in my area that can help him. He is also suspected of being bi-polar and having Asperbergers Syndrome. I'm at such a loss as to how to find him the proper help to even diagnose, let alone help him. It's very comforting to me, to be able to read the information here, and also the comments.

re: depression in kids
The HealthGal
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:54 AM

How challenging that must be. You might try contacting a university medical center in your state or the nearest community and seeing if you can have some sort of telcommuting relationship with skype - I help long distance clients with their nutritional counseling that way. So glad you are finding support through our content.

re: re: depression in kids
BusyMom
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll try anything at this point!

re: depression in kids
Merely Me
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM

Hi Busy Mom!

I just wanted to reach out to you. I have a son who suffers from depression and autism. I am writing here and also on another Health Central site called Friends of Quinn that you might want to check out. There are lots of parents there in a similar boat. I am also writing on our ADHD site and there too you are going to find support as a lot of the parents there have children who have multiple conditions and including Asperger's Syndrome.

Also feel free to contact Judy who is on our depression site here...here is her profile page. She has a grown son who has some similar challenges.

Don't hesitate to shoot me an email here any time or stop by those sites. You are going to need support for all that you are going through to help your son.

Hang in there!

re: re: depression in kids
BusyMom
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 09:35 AM

Thank you so much for your help, I will look at everything you've sent me.

It's a relief to know I'm not the only mother dealing with such tough issues and I appreciate all the info you've shown me.