Once a mental health professional narrows down a child or teen's diagnosis to depression, he has to determine the type of depression. Children and teens develop depression because of biological issues, such as abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and a family history of depression, and environmental issues, such as trauma and abuse. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, about 5 percent of children and teens struggle with depression.
Major Depression
One of the most serious types of depression is major depression. Children and teens who suffer from major depression might have thoughts of suicide or try to commit suicide. If your child or teen talks about death, says she wants to be dead, gives away her treasured possessions or writes or draws about death, she might be having thoughts of suicide. Children and teens who experience thoughts of suicide need immediate professional treatment. You can take your child to your local psychiatric emergency room or call the police for assistance and help.
Other symptoms that your child or teen is suffering from major depression include nightmares, issues falling asleep and staying asleep, refusing to eat or eating too much, self-harm (such as cutting), difficulty concentrating and fatigue. Your child's performance in school will probably drop, and she might isolate herself from her friends and peers.
Dysthymic Disorder
To be diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, adults have to experience symptoms for at least two years. However, children and adolescents need to have the symptoms for a period of one year to receive the diagnosis. The major difference between major depression and dysthymic disorder is the level of depression. Children and teens who suffer from dysthymic disorder are less likely to consider suicide. Children and teens with this disorder feel sad most days for one year. They might experience some days where they feel happy, but those days don't happen often.
Manic Depression
Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, affects children and teens. The main symptoms of this disorder include extreme mood swings. Your child might appear incredibly happy for about one week. He might have racing thoughts, believe he can achieve anything, sleep little and have an abundance of energy. The next week he might seem sad, hopeless and worthless. The extremes of the child's mood are the main indicator of this disorder.
Postpartum Depression
Teens who give birth may experience postpartum depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, when a teen experiences the symptoms of depression within one month of giving birth, it would be considered postpartum depression. This type of depression is treated similarly to other types of depression; however, it's the least-likely type of depression to need long-term treatment.
