For children, depression treatment may include psychotherapy either alone or in combination with antidepressant medication. Research indicates that the best approach for most children is a combination of both. Treatment can be provided by a psychiatrist. In more severe cases hospital care may be required.
There are a number of different types of psychotherapy available and treatment will vary between different children and different types of depression.
Causes of Childhood Depression
It is important when treating depression in children not to forget the cause and only treat the symptoms. Depression will often have an underlying social and psychological cause that cannot be address through the use of medication alone.
These can include a family breakup with two parents splitting up, a friendship break up or problems such as abuse or bullying at school. Temporary episodes of depression can be brought on by exam fears. Some children are less resilient, more sensitive, and less able to cope. As a result they can become depressed more easily.
Treatment usually consists of counselling or psychotherapy and antidepressants. Simply having them talk about their problems to family and friends is often a major step towards recovery
Antidepressant medication
Antidepressant medications are often an effective way to treat depression in children and adolescents. However, antidepressants can produce harmful side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that an extensive analysis of clinical trials showed that antidepressants may cause or worsen suicidal thinking or behaviour in children and adolescents.
However leaving depression untreated can itself lead to a higher risk of suicide.
Cognitive behaviour therapy.
Cognitive behaviour therapy has been shown to have a better success rate then antidepressants at beating depression for good and preventing a relapse into depression once treatment has stopped.
This is because the objective is to change the way something thinks and behaves. Therefore unlike drugs which treat the symptoms, cognitive behaviour therapy attempts to address the cause.
Often depression is caused by a faulty thinking process caused by a situation. This situation results in negative thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions.
Learning to change the way you think and behave to a situation can in turn change someone’s feeling. Cognitive behaviour therapy attempts to change the way you behave and think about yourself, the world and other people.
Conclusion
Remember, early detection and treatment of depression is important at any age — and family support is essential. If you suspect that your child is depressed, contact your child’s doctor or a mental health provider.
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