One of the Most Important Questions Parents Can Ask:
Is My Child Depressed?
Does it feel like a stranger has taken your
daughter’s place? Just a few short years ago, she
was a happy, carefree child who loved picking
dandelions and chasing fireflies. Today, she’s moody,
irritable and dissatisfied with just about everything.
The teenage years can be difficult. But before you dismiss
her symptoms as normal teenage angst, think about this:
3 million teens suffer with clinical depression, a mental
illness that can limit their opportunities and lead to
self-destructive behaviors. And depression isn’t just a
problem for teens. It strikes younger children as well.
This illness, which is important for parents, teachers,
coaches and youth to be aware of, was featured on
“Keeping Kids Healthy,” the television show filmed live
from The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).
“Clinical depression is a serious psychiatric disorder that
results from a combination of biochemical factors in the
brain and environmental factors,” says Alec Miller, PsyD,
chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology and director
of the Adolescent Depression and Suicide Program at
Montefiore Medical Center, and associate professor
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine. “Teens can be treated with
psychotherapy or medication, or a combination of both.”
We all feel sad or depressed occasionally. But your child
may be clinically depressed if she experiences four or
more symptoms every day for at least two weeks.
Dr. Miller cautions parents to look for symptoms, such
as irritable moods, loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
change in eating or sleeping habits, or fatigue and
energy loss. Remember, symptoms are not the same in
every youngster, he says. Older children and teens may
experience feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty
concentrating or making decisions, thoughts of death,
or suicidal thinking or behavior, or they may become
physically agitated or physically slowed down. If a
youngster exhibits symptoms, especially suicidal feelings,
get help immediately.
Talk with your child if she has any of these symptoms
or you notice that her grades have dropped, she doesn’t
spend as much time with friends or she withdraws from
activities she previously enjoyed. If you think depression
is a possibility or her symptoms continue, ask her
physician about a depression screening.
Tune into “Keeping Kids Healthy” to learn the latest
in children’s health from the experts. Broadcast
on WNET/Channel 13, Fridays at 2:30 pm and
Saturdays at 6:30 am, on WNJN Saturdays at
6:30 am and WLIW Saturdays at 7:30 am
Search for keywords “Keeping Kids Healthy” on
video.google.com to watch episodes online or visit
www.keepingkidshealthy.org to learn more.
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