Adolescent Depression and Suicide
I see a lot of depressed children and adolescents. Many are angry, hostile, rebellious, defiant. They present real problems for their parents. At one time it was thought that depression did not effect children or adolescents. We now know that was not true. Children and adolescents do become depressed. As a matter of fact, we lose 5000 adolescents a year to suicide, and for every 1 who succeeds, 150 attempt suicide. What's alarming in all this is that we are seeing more and more children who are suffering from depression. That's the bad news. The good news is that more kids are being treated for depression.
Treatment involves changing brain chemistry with medications. We know that medications are effective in treating depression in adolescence. Double-blind studies have shown this. Physicians who treat this population with medication also know that they are effective in treating depression.
Some kids also show the usual signs of depression. They are sad, depressed, cry a lot and their energy is down. They have difficulty concentrating and studying. Other kids exhibit irritability, anger and even violence. They are hard to get along with, especially at home. They withdraw, isolate themselves, from their families and friends. Their grades fall, and thy can't seem to study effectively. They also lose interest in athletics or other activities.
If your son or daughter has symptoms like these, they need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist who works with adolescents and children. Depression is a treatable illness, you can get help for your child.
Schizophrenia Package