A pet or a friend dies. Someone in the family is very sick. The hormonal changes of puberty can cause depression. Medicine and counseling help children and teens who are depressed. Most depressed children and teens should talk to a counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist about what is making them feel the way they are feeling.
Family counseling can help everyone in the family.
Your family doctor can refer you and your child to someone for counseling Medicines also can help treat depression. Most depressed children and teens do best when they get both counseling and medicine. This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.