Depression

Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects how a person functions in everyday life.  Depression is common- some studies estimate that 10-20% of adolescents will encounter a depressive episode before they reach adulthood.  Fortunately, depression is treatable.  To learn more about depression in teens, please check out the link to Erika’s Lighthouse.  You can also learn more about depression from NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If you feel that you or someone you love may be experiencing depression, it is important to talk to your doctor.  You can visit the Counseling Resources page within this website to help find counseling centers in the Lake County and Kenosha County areas.

It is important to note that depression is the greatest risk factor to suicide.  It is also a high risk factor to self-harm behaviors.  If you feel that you or a loved one are at risk for suicide,  please refer to the 24-Hour Support Lines page within this website.  In case of an emergency, call 911.   

Please review the page on Suicide and Self-Harm for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

Depression is a serious mental illness that can be diagnosed by a doctor.  The signs and symptoms for diagnosing depression are listed below.  For a diagnosis to occur, five of the nine signs and symptoms listed below must be present, and depressed mood and loss of interest must be included.  To be diagnosed, the signs and symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly every day, for the last two weeks.

• Depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day

  • In children and adolescents, this can be an irritable mood

• Significant loss of interest in all (or almost all) activities

• Significant weight loss or weight gain

  • In children, this could be failure to make expected weight gain

• Insomnia nearly every day

• Significant change in activity level nearly every day

• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

• Diminished ability to think or concentrate

• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Possible Treatments

There are two primary types of treatment for depression, including talk therapy and medication.  Treatment generally starts with talk therapy, which may be with a psychologist, counselor, or social worker.  In some cases, medication is also used along with talk therapy.  Medication may be prescribed by a pediatrician or psychiatrist.  If you feel that you or someone you love may be experiencing depression, it is important to talk to your doctor.  You can visit the Counseling Resources page within this website to help find counseling centers in the Lake County and Kenosha County areas.