Surveys supported by the N.I.M.H. show that up to 3 percent of younger children
and up to 8 percent of adolescents suffer from depression. Parents need to
remember: life's normal ups and downs include moments of sadness as well as
those of excitement and bliss. Childhood and adolescent depressions often look
like adult ones, with sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, lack of enjoyment,
withdrawal and so on. With younger people, though, other signs of depression may
be less obvious. For example, depressed kids may complain of boredom, refuse to
go to school, give vague complaints of physical distress, throw tantrums, or
talk about running away. They may reveal sensitivity to rejection, and take
interest in alcohol and substance abuse. Recently, suicide was identified as the
third leading cause of death in the adolescent age group and the sixth leading
cause of death in younger kids.

Sometimes disobedience can point to depression, as opposed to a lack of
discipline or even disrespect?

Yes, parents really need to tune into the multiple levels of meaning of their
young people's behavior. Don't just react to the behavior. Figure out what he or
she is trying to communicate. If it's only willfulness, then use approaches like
behavior modification. But if it's showing up alongside some of the indicators
that I mentioned above, like isolation or emotional outbursts, then talk to
someone who knows about this stuff. Bone up on childhood mental health awareness
by reading, attending public talks and talking to the experts in your community,
such as your pediatrician or a mental health professional.

Now, let's talk about Bipolar Disorder, which is a condition of mood
disregulation and presents with a characteristic symptom, called mania. Mania
reveals itself by severe shifts in mood, often to the extremes, with deep
sadness, say, alternating with intense excitation. Bipolar Disorder is rare in
young kids, but an increasing number of adolescents are now receiving this
diagnosis. In an adolescent manic state, we might see grandiose flights of
self-esteem, like superpower stuff. He or she might stay up all-night and then
stay up all day. Other symptoms can include distractibility, unstoppable
talking, and high risk-taking behaviors like sex, drugs and reckless driving.
The mania tends to "cycle," sometimes back and forth with depression and
sometimes to a more normal state. These cycles can take days or weeks, but in
"rapid cycling" cases can flip-flop many times in the same day.



How treatable are these conditions and what can parents do?

The most important consideration is early detection and intervention. Childhood
mood disorders are treatable, but a lot of young people suffer without
treatment, risking more severe states and, of course, suicide. The treatments
include medications that reduce depression and help to better regulate mood.
Cognitive and interpersonal psychotherapies and symptom management strategies
can be effective and may be tried first, if the symptoms are not too disabling.

Parenthood is a gift as well as a responsibility that requires continuing
education. Parents who keep informed and learn new skills to keep up with their
growing kids' needs are the best equipped to face both the expected as well as
the unexpected challenges of adolescence.


Licensed psychologist Allan J. Comeau, Ph.D., is on the clinical faculty at UCLA
and a former president of the Inland Southern California Psychological
Association. Write to him at 2001 S. Barrington Avenue, Suite 304, West Los
Angeles, CA 90025.


NOTE: please tell me what is your own opinion in what you've read above? thank
you for your cooperation





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