Depression that starts during early childhood is a serious mental health concern because it affects the child's mood and her ability to function normally at home and at school. Dr. Jay L. Hoecker of the Mayo Clinic and author of the article "Depression Treatment for Children--What Works?" states that depression is just "as common in children as it is in adults." Arthur Schoenstadt, author of the article "Treatment of Childhood Depression," adds that the treatment plan needs to be tailored to the child's needs.
Psychotherapy
One treatment choice is psychotherapy, which aims at the underlying cause of depression. Hoecker recommends cognitive behavioral therapy, which works by changing the child's thinking pattern. Cognitive behavioral therapy also helps the child develop healthful coping strategies, which prevents the child from entering a depressive state when something goes wrong. Schoenstadt adds that therapy is another option, which involves the child identifying problems in relationships with other people and learning how to deal with them in a healthful manner. This can be an effective treatment if the depression is caused by a change in the child's life, such as parental divorce.
Medication
Medication can reduce the severity of the child's depressive symptoms. Schoenstadt states that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice in antidepressant medication. However, only fluoxetine is approved for children who are 8 years or older. If another antidepressant is prescribed, it is done off-label. Hoecker warns that these medications can increase suicidal thoughts in children, though they are effective in children who do not respond to therapy or have chronic depression. Medications can be even more effective when combined with psychotherapy, as both cause and symptoms are treated.
Family Support
An essential part of treatment for depression in early childhood is family support, according to Hoecker. Parents need to help the child stick to a treatment plan, especially when the child is resistant to going to therapy or taking medication. The child's family also needs to support the child because the child will feel alienated or discouraged because of her depression.
