Major Depression In Adolescents

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Major depression is a type of mood disorder. A mood is an emotion or a feeling. Moods affect a person's behavior (how the person acts). Moods also affect how a person feels about himself and life in general. Depression is a sad mood that your child cannot control. If your child feels sad for at least two weeks, he may be depressed. Major depression is a true medical condition, just like diabetes and high blood pressure. Major depression is also called Major Depressive Disorder.
  
  
• Your child's caregivers will talk with you about the many ways to treat depression. Treatment for depression includes medicine, therapy, or both. Specially trained caregivers will teach you and your child how to manage your child's depression. They can teach your child how to handle problems better and how to cope with stress.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.
  
  
• Antidepressant medicine: This medicine is given to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. It may take several weeks before your child begins to feel better. Do not stop giving your child this medicine unless the caregiver tells you to. Caregivers may try a different antidepressant if one type does not work.
  
  
• If a medicine makes your child drowsy: Do not allow your child to drive or do anything that may be dangerous.

Medicine monitoring:

Each time your child meets with his caregivers, they will ask him about how he is feeling. Caregivers will watch how your child responds to his medicines. Tell caregivers about side effects or problems your child may be having with his medicine. Sometimes the kind and amount of medicine may have to be changed. The goal is for your child to feel better with the least amount of side effects. Sometimes your child's medicine may take a while to work. You, your child and his caregiver will talk about how long your child will need the medicine. Once your child is taking medicine for depression, he may need to give a blood sample. This sample is used to check to see if enough medicine is in your child's blood. Caregivers use the results of this test to decide how much medicine is right for your child.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

How can I help my child at home?

• Give your child depression medicine as directed by his caregiver. Make sure your child takes his medicine every day. Do not stopping giving your child his medicine unless his caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Watch your child carefully for any behavior changes. Talk to your child's caregiver if you have concerns or questions about the way your child is acting.
  
  
• Take your child to therapy as directed by his caregiver. If your child cannot come to an appointment, call the caregiver or therapist. Schedule another appointment as soon as possible.
  
  
• Make sure your child eats good food and gets plenty of sleep.
  
  
• Help your child to find some type of exercise that he likes and can do regularly.
  
  
• Encourage your child to be with other people. Tell your child to spend time with family and friends. Encourage him to talk to you or others about the way he feels.
  
  
• Tell your child to do things that make him feel good. Encourage your child to read books, poetry, or other written things that makes him feel good. He may listen to music or play a musical instrument. He may want keep a daily journal.
  
  
• Keep your home safe for your child while he is depressed. Remove all alcohol, medicines, and firearms (guns) from your house. Remove sharp objects such as sharp knives and razor blades from your house.
  
  
• Call your child's school. Meet with your child's school counselor, psychologist, nurse, or teachers. Tell them that your child is being treated for depression. Make sure they know the warning signs of depression that is getting worse and of suicide. Talk about what they need to do if they have concerns about your child.

What are the warning signs of suicide?

An adolescent with major depression may be at higher risk for committing suicide. Be alert. Watch and listen to your child for these warning signs of suicide:

• Your child tells you he wants to commit suicide.
  
  
• Your child talks about his "plan" for committing suicide, or makes a will.
  
  
• Your child starts giving or throwing away his favorite things.
  
  
• Your child becomes suddenly very happy and cheerful after a time of depression and sadness.
  
  
• Your child has tried committing suicide before.
  
  
• Your child cuts himself, bangs his head against walls, or does other things to hurt himself.
  
  
• Your child acts in ways that are dangerous and could kill him. For example, he may drive very fast or "take risks" by doing things that could hurt him.
  
  
• Your child says things to you that he would not normally say. He may talk about wanting to die. Your child may say things like: "I won't see you again". He may say "Soon I won't be a problem for you", or "I have no reason for living". If your child talks about voices telling him to kill himself, this is a warning sign.
  
  
• Your child is constantly sad and acting different than usual, such as changing the way he eats, sleeps, or dresses. Also gaining or losing weight or having a lower energy level than usual. Also if your child loses interest in doings the things he usually likes to do such as sports, hobbies, or seeing friends.
  
  
• Your child begins to joke, read, or write often about suicide, killing, and death.
  
  
• Your child is taking antidepressants (depression medicine) and his depression is getting worse. While using antidepressants, your child thinks or talks about committing suicide or starts to act different than usual. Watch your child very closely when he begins to take depression medicine. Watch your child very closely when the doctor changes the amount of medicine your child is to take.

What should I do if my child says he wants to commit suicide?

• Let your child do the talking. Listen very carefully. Let your child know that you take his feelings and thoughts very seriously. Try to find out what is causing his personal pain and sadness.
  
  
• Ask direct questions. Ask "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" and "Do you have a plan for hurting or killing yourself?"
  
  
• Do not leave your child alone if he says he wants to commit suicide. By staying with your child, you may be saving his life.
  
  
• Get or call help immediately.
  
  
  • Call your child's therapist or the caregiver who is treating him for depression. Tell the caregiver about your child's thoughts and feelings of suicide. Ask the caregiver what you should do to help your child.
    
    
  • Call 1-800-SUICIDE. This phone number is open all the time to help people who are thinking about suicide. You may also call the National Crisis Hotline at 1-800-999-9999.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child takes antidepressants, but his depression is getting worse. Your child may be at higher risk of committing suicide at certain times while taking antidepressants. These times include when your child begins taking antidepressants, and when the dose (amount) of medicine is increased or decreased. Call your child's caregiver if your child begins to look, talk, or act like he is depressed while he is taking antidepressants.
  
  
• Always watch your child carefully for signs of worsening depression. Call if you think your child's depression is getting worse.
  
  
• You have questions about your child, his depression, or the medicines he is taking.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child says he wants to commit suicide and has a plan or way to do it.
  
  
• Your child has done something on purpose to seriously hurt himself or tries to commit suicide.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Major Depression In Adolescents (Aftercare Instructions)