PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Childhood Depression *

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of children diagnosed with Childhood Depression. This is a problem that can often be overlooked or attributed to ‘normal’ development, but there is nothing normal about being a depressed child. Many times children who are depressed will appear angry or sullen. Sometimes you can see a distinct change in the child’s regular daily activities. Other changes to watch for are differences in sleep pattern, withdrawing from social activities or not participating in activities that were previously enjoyable, and a general feeling of sadness often accompanied by crying for no apparent reason and for which the child has no explanation. If these persist for two weeks or more, your child may be clinically depressed. Treatment for Childhood Depression involves diagnostic testing, and then treatment planning that addresses the specific underlying causes of the child’s depression. Individual psychotherapy can be very beneficial, especially when the cause of the depression is situational. In the event that there appears to be reason to suspect a chemical imbalance contributing to the depression, an Eden Counseling Center therapist will make the appropriate referrals for medication assessment.

If you have questions about Childhood Depression and would like information regarding an assessment for yourself, a friend or family member, contact us and our qualified staff will be glad to assist you in beginning the process of getting help.

* Please note that this information is not intended for use as a method for diagnosing any psychological disorder and is intended to be used only as a general guideline by individual’s accessing this website for personal use. No inference of diagnostic criteria is implied and any self-diagnosis is emphatically discouraged.

A psychiatric referral is available for medication or inpatient care.
Eden Counseling Center therapist work with a number of primary care physicians and psychiatrists to ensure that if and when treatment may call for medication, you can receive the appropriate referral for as assessment by a medical doctor. We do not have control over the choices that the medical doctor makes regarding medication use or choice, but we do work closely with them to fully communicate the problems as we see them and make suggestions for medications as appropriate. Management of the medication is handled through the prescribing medical professional. It is important to the therapy process that your therapist be informed about any medications you are taking and any changes to medications. For that reason, your therapist will ask you for updates on how the medication is working for you and if you have experienced any changes mentally, physically or emotionally. It will also be important for your therapist to be able to communicate with your medical professional so that everyone is working together to help you get better. You will be asked to sign a release of information form that allows the Eden therapist to talk with your doctor. You should also sign a similar form at your doctor’s office that will allow her/him to speak to your therapist.