Depression and Bipolar

Depression

What is it?

Depression is an illness when intense feelings of sadness persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function. About five percent of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression. Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attention, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Depression also tends to run in families. Depressed adolescents may abuse alcohol or other drugs as a way of trying to feel better. Depressed children and adolescents are at increased risk for committing suicide. Cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy treatment is effective.

What does it look like?

Most common symptoms or behaviors include:

• Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
• Social isolation, poor communication
• Low self esteem and guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Difficulty with relationships
• Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Poor concentration, Persistent boredom; low energy
• A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Talk of or efforts to run away from home
• Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior
• Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying

 
Bipolar

 
What is it?

Children with early-onset bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive) go through unusual mood changes. Sometimes they feel very happy or “up,” and are much more active than usual. This is called mania. And sometimes children with bipolar disorder feel very sad and “down,” and are much less active than usual. This is called depression.

Bipolar disorder is not the same as the normal ups and downs every kid goes through. Bipolar symptoms are more powerful than that. The illness can make it hard for a child to do well in school or get along with friends and family members. Early-onset bipolar disorder can be more severe than bipolar disorder in older teens and adults. Also, young people with early-onset bipolar disorder may have symptoms more often and switch moods more frequently than adults with the illness.

 What does it look like?

Children and teens having a manic episode may:

• Feel very happy or act silly in a way that’s unusual
• Have a very short temper
• Talk really fast about a lot of different things
• Have trouble sleeping but not feel tired
• Have trouble staying focused
• Talk and think about sex more often
• Do risky things.

Children and teens having a depressive episode may:

• Feel very sad
• Complain about pain a lot, like stomachaches and headaches
• Sleep too little or too much
• Feel guilty and worthless
• Eat too little or too much
• Have little energy and no interest in fun activities
• Think about death or suicide. 

How is it treated?

Treatment of depression/early-onset bipolar may include:

• a comprehensive psychological evaluation
• interpersonal and cognitive behavioral  therapy
• family therapy
• the use of medication

Parents should ask their pediatrician or family physician to refer them to a qualified mental health professional, who can diagnose and treat depression.

For more information

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org

Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH), 165 Western Avenue N, Suite 2, St. Paul, MN 55102
www.macmh.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
www.ndmda.org

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov/health

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