Does your child or teen suffer from depression?
The NYU Child Study Center recently updated their site AboutOurKids.org. This is a site that Mary and I often use as a resource.
One of their new entries is on childhood depression. If you are a frequent reader of A Wild Ride you know that we are always looking for good resources on childhood depression. We know that many parents struggle with this topic, so I thought I would share an excerpt of this article with you. To read the entire article visit the NYU site.
Depression in Children and Teens
Everyone feels sad or blue from time to time, both children and adults. When sad feelings significantly impair or affect a child's functioning and persist for more than two weeks, a diagnosis of depression may be appropriate. In addition to the distress it causes to a child, depression can have a dramatic effect on all parts of his or her life, inhibiting social, emotional and educational development. A child with undetected or untreated depression is at risk for:
Poor school attendance and academic performance
Problems such as anxiety
Drug or alcohol abuse
Depression in adulthood
Suicide
Fortunately, depression is one of the most easily and successfully treated mental illnesses. Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy, which can be equally effective; one or both can be chosen as treatment options.
