May 21, 2002 3 min read

Q: Sometimes my child seems a bit “down in the dumps.” What does this mean? A: Dr. Jim Drury, one of the psychiatrists at Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services Inc., offers the following advice.

“All children ‘feel blue’ from time to time, have a bad day or are sad,” Drury said.

“However, when these kinds of feelings persist and begin to interfere with a child’s ability to function in daily life, clinical depression could be the cause.”

Drury said depression is not a personal weakness, a character flaw or a mood that one can simply “snap out of.”

“And, it’s different from feelings of grief or sorrow that follow a major loss, such as a death in the family,” he said.

“It is a serious mental health problem that affects people of all ages, including children.”

In fact, Drury said depression affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents, according to the federal Center for Mental Health services.

Fortunately, Drury said depression is treatable.

The following are signs of depression in children:

– Persistent sadness.

– Withdrawal from family and friends.

– Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed.

– Increased irritability or agitation.

– Changes in eating and sleeping habits, including significant weight loss, insomnia or excessive sleep.

– Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches.

– Lack of enthusiasm or motivation.

– Decreased energy level and chronic fatigue.

– Play that involves excessive aggression toward self or others or that involves persistently sad themes.

– Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness.

– Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.

– Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Q: What can parents and other adults do if they suspect a child may have depression?

A: Drury offers the following tips to parents:

– Talk to the child about how he or she is feeling.

– Educate yourself. You have already taken the first step by reading this fact sheet.

– Know the signs for depression, and note the duration, frequency and severity of troubling behavior.

– If the child is struggling with any combination of the signs for depression for more than two weeks in different settings, then take your child to a mental health professional or doctor.

– Ask questions about treatments and services. A comprehensive treatment plan may include psychotherapy, ongoing evaluation and, in some cases, medication. Optimally, the treatment plan is developed with the family, and whenever possible, the child.

– Talk to other families in your community or find a family network organization.

Anyone, who has additional questions about mental health issues or psychiatric care, is asked to contact his/her doctor, mental health professional or Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services Inc. at 724-437-0729 or the 24-hour crisis line at 724-437-1003.