Symptoms and Treatment
What are the symptoms
of major depression?
Feelings of sadness, emptiness or unhappiness
Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, such as se
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Tiredness and lack of energy, so that even small tasks take extra effort
What are the treatments of major depression?
Therapy: Treatment may include talk therapy. During therapy, you will talk with caregivers about how to cope with depression. This can be done alone or with a group of other adolescents. Family members also may be asked to attend meetings.
Medicines: Your child may be given antidepressants or other medicines to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. Your child may need to take antidepressants for several weeks before he begins to feel better. Do not stop giving your child this medicine unless his caregiver tells you to.
Hospital treatment: Your child may need to be treated in the hospital if his depression is very bad. He will be able to go home once his medicine begins to work or therapy has been started. He may also need to go to the hospital for treatment if he is trying to harm or kill himself.
Feelings of sadness, emptiness or unhappiness
Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, such as se
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Tiredness and lack of energy, so that even small tasks take extra effort
What are the treatments of major depression?
Therapy: Treatment may include talk therapy. During therapy, you will talk with caregivers about how to cope with depression. This can be done alone or with a group of other adolescents. Family members also may be asked to attend meetings.
Medicines: Your child may be given antidepressants or other medicines to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. Your child may need to take antidepressants for several weeks before he begins to feel better. Do not stop giving your child this medicine unless his caregiver tells you to.
Hospital treatment: Your child may need to be treated in the hospital if his depression is very bad. He will be able to go home once his medicine begins to work or therapy has been started. He may also need to go to the hospital for treatment if he is trying to harm or kill himself.