Therapy Solutions
Teen Mood Disorders
Many children and adolescents have clinical depression alone or in conjunction with another mental illness like anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar illness (manic depression), or child-onset schizophrenia. Each child’s personality, biological makeup, and environment are unique, and depression and suicidal ideation in children are complex issues involving many factors. By recognizing and treating children we can improve the chances a young person with depression can live a longer, healthier, more quality life.
Know What To Watch For
Symptoms In Adolescents
Depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, carelessness when walking across busy streets, on bridges or cliffs. There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.
* Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches,
neck aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive
disorders. (ruling out other medical causes)
* Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability.
* Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage.
* Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem.
* Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions,
possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to
depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork.
* Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements, or restlessness
(anxiety).
* Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities.
* Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness.
* Change in appetite, noticeable weight loss or weight gain, or
abnormal eating patterns.
* Chronic worry, excessive fear.
* Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings,
speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
* Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts.
In addition to the standard symptoms of depression, and warning signs of suicide, click here to see other signs of suicidal thinking.
Treatment options might include:
* Depression Inventory Scales, Suicidal Risk Assessments, Suicidal
Intent Scales, Degree of Hopelessness Scales, Diagnostic Interview
Questionnaires.
* Outpatient psychotherapy:
o Cognitive Therapy - teaches more positive thinking, coping skills
and problem-solving
o Interpersonal Therapy - might teach children how to make
friends
o Group Therapy - with others of similar age that have a
depressive illness
o Family Therapy - works with the entire family and discusses
various family dynamics
* Various supports at school. Talk with a school nurse about the
options available.
* Various forms of play therapy, relaxation therapy, biofeedback,
visualization.
* Antidepressant medications, stimulants, also some types of
alternative medicine.
* Hospitalization (in-patient, partial hospitalization, day-treatment).
How to Help
* Educate yourself on childhood & adolescent depressive illnesses
and suicide.
* Assure your child they can feel better, that suicidal thoughts are only
temporary, and that there are people who can help them.
* Always take suicidal tendencies seriously and respond immediately.
* Know that early intervention is the key to successful treatment for
children who suffer from depressive illnesses.
* Understand that treatment should be a team-approach including a
psychotherapist, a child/adolescent psychiatrist, parents, relatives,
caregivers, school personnel, friends, babysitters, neighbors and
other significant people in the child's life.
Healthy, non-impulsive children who talk about death or seem preoccupied after losing a friend or loved one, but have a clear understanding that death is final, and who are not depressed, are probably at a very low risk for suicidal behavior.
Typically, when asked about their own death, children most often state it will happen due to old age or getting sick when they’re old. Many suicidal children believe that when others die, death is final, but that if they die, their death is reversible. Vulnerable children and adolescents who may be under stress (internal or external) may have a change in perceptions of and feelings about death.
Know What To Do
Because children aren't always able to understand and explain their feelings, as adults we must be more vigilant in understanding the ways depression and suicide manifest in children, and work to get them the help they need.
The above text is from Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) - www.save.org.
Click Here to return to the Teen and Family Therapy page.
Life Pathways Serving Orange County
and Los Angeles County Communities:
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Jim Viccaro, M.S.,
M.F.T.
Life Pathways Therapy Solutions
Phone:(562) 286-9152 E-mail: jim@life-pathways.com