• 8% of youth (12-17) experience depression

• 11% of adolescents have had some form of depression by the time they turn 18

• Adolescents have a greater chance of experiencing depression due to increased factors in life.

Major Depression- A form of depression that affects the normal functioning of the child to do things such as sleeping, eating, work, and more.

Dysthymia- A form of depression in which a child experiences symptoms of persistent depressive moods for at least 2 years, but symptoms are typically less severe than major depression. The individual may experience major depressive symptoms during periods of time, but they are not consistent enough to be considered major depression.

Biological

• Hereditary

• Hormone Imbalance

• Certain medications

• Medications

• Head trauma

• Birth control

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Environmental

• Unstable relationships

• Isolation

• Abusive relationships

• Inability to make friends

• Change in family life or relationships (divorce, moving, fighting...)

• Bullying​

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Irritability

• Thoughts of death or suicide

• Showing no (or little) motivation to do previously liked activities

• A large decrease in energy

• Many physical effects on the body, such as headaches, digestive problems, and more

• Sleep difficulty

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• "S.I.G.E. C.A.P.S"

  • Many doctors use the term "S.I.G.E. C.A.P.S." to summarize symptoms, and if a patient exhibits 5 of these symptoms over a 2 week time period, they can be diagnosed with major depression

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Sleep (Abnormally too much or too little)

Interest (A lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities)

Guilt (Feelings of)

Energy (Decreased)

Concentration (Lack of)

Appetite (A decrease or increase)

Psychomotor (Any psychological symptoms)

Suicide (thoughts of)

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• *This acronym was provided to Julia Morneau by Dr. Emily Aron of Georgetown University on July 17th, 2017. 

Medication

• Antidepressants are medications that are used for patients with depression to improve mood, sleep, and more. These can be very effective for treating a depressive disorder.

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Therapy

• Many different forms of therapy can be used to treat depression.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

  • This form of therapy is directed towards patients with depression that have tried other treatments and it has been unsuccessful.

  • The use of electrical impulses into the patient can be used to relieve symptoms from the patient and can be useful typically if other forms of treatment have not worked, due to potential side effects (confusion, memory loss...) that can be associated with ECT.

• A parent can help their kid by being there and being supportive. Depression can happen to anyone, they don't choose to have it. Therefore, being supportive and positive can help ease the pain they are experiencing.

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Sources: NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) Page on Depression

Dr. Emily Aron, MD, Georgetown University

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