Depression in children and adolescents (1). 소아청소년 우울증 (1)
Overview and statistics of depression in children and adolescents
Here, “children” means that children are persons from birth before puberty.
The period from birth to puberty is called childhood.
That is, children before puberty are called children for convenience.
Children and adolescents referred to children within the age range of 0-18.
Depression is one of the most serious mental disorders that can occur to anyone in all levels of economical life, the poor or rich, the young or the old.
If anyone had suffered from severe depression in childhood, the depression may recur within five years thereafter. Bipolar disorder has increased 40-fold since 1994 in pre-adolescent and adolescent children (source- Dr. Mark Olson, The Journal of archives of general psychiatry 2007).
One in 10 children and adolescents (ages 0-18) can develop depression.
It is reported that 4 to 18% of adolescent children develop depression.
30% of adolescent children with severe psychosis are receiving treatment.
It is reported that 50% of adults with severe psychosis start at age 14-years-old (source; Journal watch pediatrics and adolescent medicine, August 2008. p 769).
The main symptoms of depression can lead to impaired feelings and behaviors, and an overall weird health condition.
Most depressed adolescents are treated appropriately soon, but some depressed adolescents don’t even know they are depressed, and sometimes parents don’t know if their children are depressed. Because of this, some of the adolescent children suffering from depression do not receive treatment for depression.
In addition, there are many cases where treatment for depression is not recommended even though it is recommended.
Depression in adolescent children is a major cause of suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescent children and young adults aged 15-24 years-old.
Suicide is the third cause of death among 15-years-old adolescent children.
⅔ of adolescent children with depression are not receiving treatment from a psychiatrist for various reasons.
Drinking alcohol, alcoholism, and addictive drug abuse can result from depression. Conversely, alcoholism or substance abuse can lead to depression.
If the depression of adolescent children is not properly treated, symptoms become more and more severe without knowing, and they penetrate deeply into their daily life, and eventually, they may not be able to perform their daily life normally and their entire life may be ruined.
Diagnosis of symptoms of depression in children and adolescents
There are at least 5 or 5 more symptom and signs of the symptoms 1 to 11 described below, or
Those symptoms persist for at least more than two weeks or
The symptom and signs are severe and
if they cannot perform their daily activities normally
If the anybody with above symptoms most likely has depression.
1.
Thinking about death.
Thinking of wanting to die.
I think I’m dying,
Thinking about how to die from suicide,
Sometimes they commit suicide.
If the children experience symptoms of depression thinking about dying like this, parents should seek immediate consultation with their doctor or take them to the hospital emergency room for psychiatric treatment.
2.
Your children feel sad
Think there is no hope
Symptoms of crying for no reason may persist.
3.
Lack of pride
Guilty feeling for no reason
he or she feel that ‘I am no longer a good human being’.
4.
It means nothing to live
‘I don’t think there will be anything better in the future’.
5.
There is no feeling
6.
I lost interest in studying, social activities, physical activities, extracurricular activities, etc.
I don’t hang out with my close friends anymore
I spend time alone.
7.
It’s difficult to decide what to do
You can’t start or do anything new
My memory is definitely lost and I can’t concentrate well.
8.
My nerves become sensitive
I get mad at the little things
Excessive reaction.
9.
I can sleep too much or less than normal,
I can eat more or less food than usual.
My weight is abnormally increased or decreased.
10.
I am always tired for no specific reason.
11.
Some of the depressed adolescent children may have problems such as substance abuse, alcoholism, indiscriminate heterosexuality, school problems, poor grades, etc.
May have problems with family or friends,
It can be rebellious and destructive to authorities or parents.
Ifyou suspect that a child or adolescent has depression
① Tell your family or friends that you think you are depressed and consult with an expert or doctor who can be treated for depression.
② Otherwise, you will receive diagnostic treatment from the Pediatric clinic soon.
③ Get help from school counselors, nurses, and social workers.
④ Get help from a psychiatrist.
⑤ Seek help from a priest, pastor, or rabbi who is qualified to provide counseling.
⑥ It is important to seek medical help and treatment before the symptoms become more severe.
⑦ Weak mind and body, lack of healthy self-esteem, problems with studying at school or doing extracurricular activities, and not trying to do something well or not doing anything at all can be symptoms of depression.
⑧ Most adolescent children with depression are well treated with counseling, counseling, or anti-depressant drugs.
⑨ Depression is a relatively common disease and can occur to anyone, young or old. If your children feel depressed, they should seek medical attention and treatment soon.
A blood test may indicate early-onset depression in teens. In the Los Angeles Times (4/18/2012), Healy reports
Treatment of depression in children and adolescents
Drugs used to treat depression
Fluoxetine,
Paroxetine,
Sertraline,
Fluvoxamine,
Citalopram,
Escitalopram,
Amitriptyline,
There are several types, including imipramine.
One or more of them can be used to treat one or two of several antidepressants.
However, according to a February 2008 study by Irv Kirsch of the University of Hull, most of the drugs used to treat depression are effective in treating severe depression, but not in treating mild depression.
Major Depressive Disorder is also treated with Escitalopram oxalate (LEXAPRO).
Figure 3-249. The rate of using antidepressants is higher among adolescent girls than among adolescent boys. (The number above is the number of children treated with antidepressant drugs out of 1,000 adolescent children aged 10-19 years old)
Source-Medico Health Solutions Inc. and Elsevier Medical News, 2007