Children and Adolescents with

Depression

By: Dana Abt

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Depression

Depression is a common mental disorder that

presents with depressed mood, loss of interest
or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and
poor concentration
abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET
 Continued …
• Up until 30 years ago, many in the field of
Psychology believe that children and adolescents
were incapable of experiencing depression
• Mental health problems affect one in every 5 young
people at a given time
• Signs of depressive disorders in young people often
are viewed as normal mood swings of a development
stage

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Signs of Depression in
Children and Teens
• School isolation • Suicidal feelings
• Stealing • Drug abuse
• Lying • Uncontrolled rage
• Tearfulness • Low self-esteem
• Excessive worrying • Low energy
• Change in sleeping • Alcohol abuse
patterns

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 What can cause the
depression?
• Children being bullied • Breakups among teens
• Overwhelming school • Lose of a family member
work and poor grades or friend
• Parental Divorce

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Survey Question #1

Most teenagers suffer from

depression.

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results
Ages 14-18 Ages 40 and up
• Strongly agree: 0 • Strongly agree: 0
• Agree: 4 • Agree: 2
• Disagree: 1 • Disagree: 3
• Strongly Disagree • Strongly Disagree: 0

Ages 19-39
• Strongly agree: 0
• Agree: 4
• Disagree: 1
• Strongly Disagree: 0

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results continued..
• Majority of all three groups of people
agreed that most teens suffer from
depression.

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Survey Question #2

Young children can’t have

depression.

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results
Ages 14-18 Ages 19-39
• Strongly Agree: 0 • Strongly Agree: 0
• Agree: 1 • Agree: 0
• Disagree: 4 • Disagree: 3
• Strongly Disagree: 0 • Strongly Disagree: 2

Ages 40 and up
• Strongly Agree: 0
• Agree: 1
• Disagree: 1
• Strongly Disagree: 3

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results continued..
• Only 2/15 agreed that young children
can’t have depression and the rest
agreed with the statement.

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Survey Question #3

Parental Divorce cannot

cause depression.

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results
Ages 14-18 Ages 19-39
• Strongly Agree: 0 • Strongly Agree: 1
• Agree: 0 • Agree: 0
• Disagree: 0 • Disagree: 1
• Strongly Disagree: 5 • Strongly Disagree: 3

Ages 40 and up
• Strongly Agree: 0
• Agree: 1
• Disagree: 3
• Strongly Disagree: 1

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Results continued..
• 13/15 disagreed with the statement that
parental divorce cannot cause
depression.

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Depression calls by Age and Gender Percentage of past year treatment
for depression

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET

 Conclusion
After all the research and
surveying, it is possible for teens
and children to have depression

abt, dana Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:40:51 PM ET