![]() ![]() She was having trouble falling asleep at night and had little energy. Her grades were mediocre, and she was worried about getting into college. She seemed to get along well with her parents, though she preferred to spend time alone, listening to music. When it was phased off, she showed no more signs of depression.įinally, there was 16-year-old Gwen, who told me that she had not had friends since grade school. She stopped therapy but stayed on the antidepressant for six months. Over time, as we talked about her family, Louise’s depression lifted. In our sessions, she spoke of her sadness over the breakup of her family – and the fact that her father had moved in with the woman with whom he had been having an affair. I prescribed an antidepressant and initiated therapy. Her parents had separated recently, and I suspected that that might be the cause of her trouble. She had been ignoring her friends and had given up activities she once loved, her mom told me. With the help of her 504 Plan and a tutor, she was getting good grades. Treatment for the ADHD was all he needed.Īnother patient of mine, 13-year-old Louise, was already taking ADHD medication. He stopped his negative talk and started playing with friends again. Once he began taking the stimulant I prescribed, Jimmy’s behavior improved. I sensed that his depression was secondary – resulting from years of experiencing negative reactions to his untreated hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. It was also clear that he had untreated ADHD. Once he said, “I’m so bad, maybe you should just send me away.”Īt my first evaluation of Jimmy, it was clear that he was depressed. His teacher constantly had to tell the fourth-grader to sit still, pay attention, and raise his hand before speaking. Let me introduce you to three children I’ve treated for depression (names have been changed) and show you how treatment differed in each case. The best remedy for depression depends upon the cause of the problem. ![]() If he or she cannot recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker who is trained to work with children and adolescents, seek referrals from friends, a school counselor, or your health insurance directory. If a teacher, friend, or anyone else suggests that your child is depressed, don’t take offense. As a parent, you must be aware of your child’s feelings and behavior. The good news is that effective help is available. About half of all children who have ADHD have trouble regulating their emotions, and this problem can also lie at the root of primary depression. It typically occurs in children who have a family history of depression, and it tends to recur. “Primary” depression arises independently of life experiences. Secondary depression is typically triggered at a specific point in time and can be directly linked to specific life experiences. This is called “secondary” depression, because it arises as the aftermath of another problem-including ADHD.ĭepression can also be secondary to learning difficulties or substance abuse. In many cases, ADHD-related problems at school and with family and friends trigger depression by undermining a child’s self-esteem. By adulthood, one in five young people will have experienced depression.ĭepression is especially common among teens and young adults who have attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Each year, four out of every 100 teens become severely depressed. It’s a serious illness, and it affects more young people than parents realize. Clinical depression is more than just the blues.
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