Kids Awareness Series

Often asked as a therapist, I hear from parents, “I don’t understand how my child can be depressed, what do they have to be depressed about?”  It does not actually work like that.  Children do not ask to be depressed and if they could control it, they most certainly would.  The symptoms of depression in children/adolescents are similar to the symptoms of depression in adults, however as a therapist I often see children exhibiting acting out behaviors in addition to the usual symptoms of depression.  Treatment of depression in children uses a variety of therapeutic techniques and cognitive-behavioral therapy and play therapy are used most often in treatment.  Play therapy is used for very young children, who as of yet do not have the verbal skills and emotional resources to communicate what is going on with him/her.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy will focus on changing the way they think in order to change their behaviors/actions that are contributing to their depression.  The child’s family is a very important component in therapy and family therapy is often recommended in order for the family to recognize the signs/symptoms of depression as well as to follow the prescribed treatment plan.  The child’s family is crucial in preventing relapse of symptoms, recognizing suicidal thoughts/behaviors, as well as in helping in reducing stressors in the child’s life.  A combination of medication (Fluoxetine) and psychological treatment is most often the prescribed method of treatment for childhood depression.