Depression in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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Depression is a mood disorder that causes your child to feel sad or hopeless. These feelings do not go away. Depression may cause your child to lose interest in things he or she used to enjoy. These feelings may interfere with your child's daily life. Your child may also be angry, do poorly in school, become isolated, or have pain.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has done something on purpose to hurt himself or herself.
• Your child tries to attempt suicide.
• Your child says he or she wants to attempt suicide.

Call your child's therapist or doctor if:

• Your child's depression gets worse.
• You do not think your child's depression medicine is helping.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

The following resources are available at any time, if needed:

• Contact a suicide prevention organization:
  • For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
    • Call or text 988
    • Send a chat on https://988lifeline.org/chat
    • Call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
  • For the Suicide Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)
• For a list of international numbers: https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Cymbalta
• Lexapro
• Zoloft
• Wellbutrin XL
• Prozac

View more treatment options

Medicines:

• Antidepressants may be given relieve your child's depression. Your child may need to take this medicine for several weeks before it starts working. Watch your child very closely when he or she begins to take antidepressants. Also watch your child if a healthcare provider changes the amount or type of medicine he or she takes. Antidepressants may increase the risk for suicide.
• Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Therapy

can help your child talk about how he or she feels. Therapy can also help your child work through situations that may be causing the depression or making it worse. This may be done alone or in a group. It may also be done with family members. Therapy and antidepressant medicines are often used together to treat depression or prevent it from coming back later. Healthcare providers can help your child find the kinds of medicine and therapy that work best for him or her.

How to help and support your child:

• Listen to your child when he or she wants to talk. Your child's depression may be related to something stressful in his or her life. Examples include loss of an important family member, or divorce of his or her parents. Your child may be bullied at school or have trouble making friends. Do not dismiss your child's problem or feelings. You may not think the situation is serious, but it is to your child.
• Watch your child carefully for any behavior changes. Talk to your child's healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions about his or her behavior. Children with depression have an increased risk for suicide.
• Encourage healthy eating habits. Offer your child a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, and cooked beans. Limit the amount of sugar and caffeine your child has.
• Help your child create a sleep schedule. Have your child go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. Stick to a sleep schedule so he or she gets enough sleep. Your child may sleep better if his or her room is quiet and dark.
• Help your child get 1 hour of physical activity every day. Encourage your child to play sports or be active every day. Physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression. Try offering to take your child somewhere he or she enjoys. This may help him or her be more willing to be active.

Follow up with your child's therapist or doctor as directed:

Your child's therapist will monitor your child's medicine if he or she takes antidepressants. The therapist will ask your child questions to find out if the medicine is helping. Tell the therapist about any problems your child has with the medicine. The kind or amount of medicine may need to be changed. Reschedule any missed appointments as soon as possible. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

For more information or support:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
  Arlington , VA 22203
  Phone: 1- 703 - 524-7600
  Phone: 1- 800 - 950-6264
  Web Address: http://www.nami.org
  

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  PO Box 2345
  Rockville , MD 20847-2345
  Phone: 1- 800 - 988
  Web Address: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org OR https://988lifeline.org/chat/
  

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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.

Further information

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