Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by constant feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or lack of interest in life that lasts for weeks, months, or longer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the exact cause of depression is unknown, however genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors may play a role. Treatment for depression can include psychotherapy or prescribed medications called antidepressants, which help improve a person’s mood and coping skills (CDC, 2021).

Depending on the child’s stage of development, here are some key words you can use when explaining depression to children:
• “Depression is more than occasionally feeling blue, sad, or down. Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or longer.”

Types of Depression

  1. Major Depressive Disorder – “Characterized by depressed mood, diminished interests, impaired cognitive function and vegetative symptoms, such as disturbed sleep or appetite (ADAA, n.d.).”
  2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – A depressed mood that lasts for at least two years (NIMH, 2018). 
  3. Psychotic Depression – “When a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations)(NIMH, 2018).”
  4. Postpartum Depression – Major depression during pregnancy or after delivery.
  5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. SAD is accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain (NIMH, 2018).
  6. Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Disorder) – “Different from depression, but it is included in this list because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”) (NIMH, 2018).”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of depression include:
• Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Having trouble falling asleep
• Waking up too early or sleeping too much
• Eating more or less than usual
• Loss of energy
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating
• Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems

Depression Facts
• Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression (WHO, 2020).
• Nearly 16 million adults in the United States are affected by depression each year (CDC, 2021).
• “Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15-44 (ADAA, n.d.).”
• Depression can lead to suicide (WHO, 2020).
• Women are affected by depression more than men (WHO, 2020).
• 25% of patients who are admitted to a hospital due to depression are diagnosed with psychotic depression (Koskie, 2020).
• 10-15% of women in the United States develop major postpartum depression (Koskie, 2020).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Getting Help in a Crisis

  1. Call 1−800−273−TALK (8255) to reach a 24−hour crisis center or dial 911. 1−800−273−TALK is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which provides free‚ confidential help to people in crisis.
  2. Call your mental health provider.
  3. Get help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
  4. Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
  5. Contact a minister, spiritual leader, or someone else in your faith community.

Resources

  1. Websites
    • https://adaa.org/
    • https://www.helpguide.org/
    • https://www.psychiatry.org/
    • https://www.nami.org/Home
    • https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
    • https://www.apa.org/
  2. Books
    • This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression by Diane McIntosh
    • Essential Art Therapy Exercises: Effective Techniques to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD by Leah Guzman ATR-BC
    • Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety by David D. Burns MD
    • Learned Hopefulness: The Power of Positivity to Overcome Depression by Dan Tomasulo PhD
    • Unlearning Anxiety & Depression: The 4-Step Self-Coaching Program to Reclaim Your Life by Joseph J. Luciani PhD
    • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
  3. Applications
    • Moodfit
    • Bloom: CBT Therapy & Self-Care
    • Bearable – Mood & Symptoms
    • Happify: for Stress & Worry
    • Sanvello: Anxiety and Depression
    • Calm

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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021, February 15). Mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/depression-anxiety.html.
Depression: Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. Depression | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression.
Koskie, B. (2020, June 3). Depression: Facts, statistics, and you. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/facts-statistics-infographic#Types-of-depression.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NIMH). (2018). Nimh ” depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Depression. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression.