![]() Family therapy can also explore and address family dynamics or situational stressors contributing to your child’s depression. Interpersonal therapy: This treatment will help your child decrease depressive symptoms by having him/her cope with and work through difficult relationship stressors by learning skills to improve communication, problem solving, and social interaction.Ī parent’s support is crucial in helping a child learn to manage his/her mood and life. The treatment plan may include: Evidence-based Individual TherapyĬognitive-behavioral therapy: This treatment will help your child decrease depressive symptoms by changing distorted views of himself/herself and the world, engage in activities that promote positive mood, and utilize effective problem solving and coping skills. ![]() Without treatment, your child’s depression could persist for longer and become increasingly more severe, leading to significant impairment in school, at home, and with friends and family.Īt Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a specialist will design an individualized treatment plan based on your child’s symptoms and other personal factors. Input from teachers and other care providersĮarly treatment is key to reducing distress, improving functioning, and preventing future depression episodes. Your child's age, overall health, and medical historyĮxtent of your child's current symptoms, behaviors, and functioningĮxpectations for the course of the conditionįamily dynamics and environmental stressors With the level of complexity often involved in diagnosing and treating depression, finding a highly trained professional, such as a pediatrician, licensed clinical social worker, a child psychologist, or a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is important.Īt Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a specialist will perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Depression can also occur alongside other behavioral health disorders, such as substance abuse or anxiety disorders. An accurate diagnosis and early treatment are keys to success in managing major depression. If you believe your child suffers from major depression, talk to your child’s pediatrician or seek out either a therapist or psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents. ![]() Testing and Diagnosis of major depression It’s crucial to remember that depression symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors must be taken very seriously. Increased sensitivity to failure or rejectionįrequent physical complaints, such as a headache, stomachache, or fatigue Sleep disturbances, whether sleeping too much or too littleĭifficulty concentrating or a decline in school performance In addition, several of the following symptoms must also be present:ĭifficulty with relationships or social withdrawal Loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities once enjoyed Persistent feelings of sadness or irritability To be diagnosed with major depression, a child needs to show at least one of the following two symptoms for most days of the week, for most of the day, during the same two-week period: Each child may experience symptoms of major depression differently.
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