Patient education: Screening for depression in children and teens (The Basics)

What is depression? — Depression is a disorder that makes a person sad, but it is different from normal sadness. Depression can make it hard for a child to enjoy activities, perform well in school, and relate to their friends, family, and teachers.

Tell the doctor or nurse if your child has symptoms of depression, like:

●Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless for longer than a few days

●Having little interest or pleasure in things that used to make them feel good

●Having low energy, or being tired all of the time

●Having trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

●Having a poor appetite, or eating too much

●Feeling bad about themselves, thinking that they are a failure, or feeling like they have let themselves or their family down

●Having trouble paying attention or making decisions

●Moving or speaking so slowly that other people might notice, or acting very restless and fidgety

●Having thoughts that they would be better off dead or thoughts of hurting themselves in some way

Depression is caused by problems with chemicals in the brain called "neurotransmitters." Some people might be more likely to have depression if it runs in their family. Other things might also play a role, including hormones, certain health problems, medicines, stress, being mistreated as a child, family problems, and problems with friends or at work.

People often think of depression as an adult problem. But children, especially teens, can suffer from depression, too.

Why do doctors screen for depression? — It can be hard to tell the difference between depression and normal issues of childhood and adolescence. Everyone feels sad or upset sometimes. Most often, these feelings last only for a few days. With depression, the signs can last much longer and be more severe.

Depression can get in the way of how your child normally lives. It can be difficult for your child and your family. It can:

●Affect your child's ability to perform well in school

●Make it harder to develop and maintain relationships

●Be accompanied by behavioral problems, substance abuse, or other mental health problems

●Have lasting effects, especially if it goes unnoticed

Depression is common in children and teens, but many people are not comfortable talking about it. Screening is important because it is a way for doctors and nurses to figure out who might need help. Depression can be treated, and the sooner treatment starts, the better it will work. This can help your child succeed in school, develop and maintain healthy relationships, and feel more self-confident.

What happens during depression screening? — Screening usually involves asking specific questions about your child's mood, ability to enjoy activities, and behaviors. Depending on the child's age, they might answer the questions, or you might answer for them. This can happen in person, on a written form, or online.

The answers can help the doctor or nurse know if your child might have depression. If so, they will talk to you about what to do next. Only someone trained in mental health can tell for sure if a person is depressed.

What if screening shows that my child might have depression? — The doctor or nurse will talk to your child more about how they are feeling. They might also do a physical exam and order lab tests.

If your child does have depression, the doctor or nurse will talk to you about treatment options. They might also refer your child to a counselor. This could be a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist.

Get help right away if your child is thinking of hurting or killing themselves! — Sometimes, people with depression think of hurting or killing themselves. If you are concerned that your child might hurt themself or someone else, help is available:

●In the US, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

•To speak to someone, call or text 988.

•To talk to someone online, go to www.988lifeline.org/chat.

●Call your doctor or nurse, and tell them that it is an emergency.

●Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).

●Go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital.

What else should I know? — Your child's depression needs to be watched closely. The doctor or nurse might ask you to make a follow-up appointment for them to check on their progress. Go to these appointments.

More on this topic

Patient education: Depression in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for depression (The Basics)
Patient education: When you have depression and another health problem (The Basics)

Patient education: Depression in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression treatment options for children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)