According to the KidsHealth website, approximately one out of every 33 children in the United States suffers from depression. The occasional bad mood or sad feeling are completely normal, especially during childhood and teen years. However, when the mood or state lasts for weeks or longer and affects the child's capability to function normally, he may be diagnosed with depression. Although it can be a stressful process, depression can be successfully treated in both adults and children.
Step 1
Get a diagnostic evaluation of your depressed child. The KeepKidsHealthy website explains that a doctor or psychiatrist can help determine if your child suffers from multiple illnesses such as bipolar disorder or a thyroid condition. With proper diagnosis, a doctor can better determine treatment options.
Step 2
Evaluate your child's school environment to be sure that unnecessary pressures or stresses are not being placed on your child. Look for issues such as bullying, peer pressure, or even undue stress placed on your child by a teacher. Involve teachers, school counselors and even the principal to adjust curriculum or the problematic situations if needed.
Step 3
Look at your child's home environment for depression contributors, such as poor communication between family members, abuse, neglect or fighting. Address and amend these issues with a family counselor or psychologist.
Step 4
Watch that your child takes all antidepressant or mood stabilizer medications as prescribed. According to the KidsHealth website, this, along with healthy eating can help improve your child's depression.
Step 5
Incorporate exercise, such as walks or sports, into your everyday family routine. Being sure that your child stays active can help reduce his depression symptoms.
Tips and Warnings
- The KeepKidsHealthy website notes that child depression can sometimes accompany one or more other illnesses such as phobias, attention deficit disorder, alcohol or drug abuse, anxiety and oppositional defiant disorder. These issues can sometimes complicate depression treatment, especially if left undiscovered.
- Because depression can be traumatic, the KidsHealth website suggests looking for signs that your child is considering self-harm. Warnings signs may include giving away her belongings, talking about suicide or becoming obsessed with death. Contact a doctor, counselor or healthy professional right away if any of these signs are observed.
