- One out of every ten high school students reports feeling
depressed.
- Clinical Depression is more than being temporarily “down” or “blue.” It
is a physical illness involving a chemical imbalance in the brain.
- Depression
affects the total person – behavior, mood, and thoughts
as well as one’s physical health, academic or work performance, and
the ability to handle everyday situations.
- The gender ratio (female:male)
of Major Depression among prepubertal children is 1:1 and among adolescents
is 5:1.
- In 1996 suicide was the third leading cause of death among
15 to 25 year olds and the fourth leading cause among those aged 10 to
14 years old. Out of every 100,000 children, 5 will choose suicide.
- It
is estimated that for every one completed suicide, ten attempts are made.
- More boys than girls commit suicide at a ratio of 4:1; however, girls
make more suicide attempts. The most common method of suicide is by the
use of firearms.
- From 1980 – 1996 the rate of suicide among African
American males aged 15 to 19 years old increased by 105 percent.
Symptoms
- Sad, empty mood
- Loss of interest in ordinary activities
- Sleep and/or eating disturbance
- Psychomotor retardation or agitation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Hopelessness, worthlessness
- Decreased school performance
- Suicidal ideation, attempt or plan
|
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Feelings of aloneness
- No plan for the future
- Acting out
- Truancy
- Feelings of guilt
- Skipping school, dropping clubs
- Change in appearance
|
Causes
- Depressive Illnesses are biological brain diseases that
appear to be genetically-based and tend to run in families.
- Depression
is a disorder of mood caused by a chemical imbalance in the frontal lobe
of the brain.
- Factors that can influence the onset of a depressive episode
include a stressful environment, low self-esteem, pessimistic thinking,
and being easily overwhelmed.
Treatments
- A full physical examination, intake of family history,
and psychological evaluation should be completed by a mental health professional
or family physician before any treatment takes place.
- Medications, such
as Prozac, Zoloft, Norpramine, Pamelor, and others, are the primary choice
of treatment for those diagnosed with Severe Depression. Medication provides
for a quicker recovery and is the most cost-effective treatment as well.
- Psychotherapy is often used in combination with medication therapy and
may take the form of play therapy, family therapy, interpersonal therapy,
behavior therapy, and/or cognitive therapy. Psychotherapy is often the
primary mode of treatment for those diagnosed with mild and moderate
forms of depression.
Prevalence of Major Depression
| Preschoolers |
0.3 percent |
| Prepubertal children |
1.8 percent |
| Adolescents |
4.7 percent |
Suggested Readings
Books:
What‘s Wrong With My Child? by Gattozzi, Ruth
Coping
With Mental Illness in the Family by Hatfield, Agnes
Is Your Child Depressed? by Herskowitz, Joel
Helping Your Depressed Child by Kerns, Lawrence
Children
and Adolescents With Mental Illness/A Parent‘s Guide by
McElroy, Evelyn
High Times/Low Times: The Many Faces
of Adolescent Depression by Meeks, John
Videotapes:
Adolescent Suicide: Dealing with the Crisis
in the Community
Childhood Mental Illness: Truths, Needs, and Family Effects
Depression: The Road to Recovery
Out of the Shadows and
Into the Light
If you or someone you know would like more information on
mental illness or wish to request an educational presentation, please contact:
NAMI IOWA (Alliance for the Mentally Ill
of Iowa)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 IOWA ONLY
Fax: (515) 254-1103
Email: info@namiiowa.com
