It's very painful to see a loved one--your child--struggling with major depression. All of a sudden your beautifully outgoing girl is sad most of the time, doesn't enjoy any of the the things she used to, is sleeping and eating too much (or too little) and feels herself worthless---a waste of space.But take hope. Depression is one of the most easily treated mental illnesses, and with time and persistence you will get your child back.

Get a Proper Diagnosis

An episode of major depression can have many causes, including painful events in your child's life, substance abuse and mental illness such as unipolar depression, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. Have your child seen by a competent psychiatrist, one who is used to working with children, teens and young adults. If you have health insurance, it should cover most of the cost of the evaluation. If you do not have health insurance or resources, your child can still get excellent care through community mental health centers.

Inform Yourself About the Treatment Plan

If your child is under 18, the psychiatrist should be willing to share the treatment plan with you. If you are dealing with an adult child, you will need her permission so speak to the psychiatrist and get on board with the treatment plans. Encourage your child to follow through with these plans, which will probably include taking medication, seeing a psychotherapist and perhaps attending a support group. According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 80 percent of those treated appropriately for major depression showed a reduction in their symptoms within four to six weeks.

Encourage Communication

Encourage your child to express his feelings. If he is very young, help him build his vocabulary so he can talk to you about what bothers him. You may also want to incorporate the use of art, dance or play to help your child demonstrate how he is feeling. Older children may express their feelings through talking, writing in a journal or diary, music, sports and poetry.

Monitor Your Child's Moods

According to Psychology Today, 30 to 50 percent of people who have had one episode of major depression can expect to have another, especially if the first episode wasn't treated adequately. What's more, depressive episodes tend to become more severe each time they occur. So if you notice symptoms of depression again---sad mood, withdrawing, eating and sleeping too little or too much--take your child back to her psychiatrist or counselor immediately. If your child is over 18, you cannot force her to seek further treatment, but you can strongly encourage her to do so. Remind her how well treatment worked the first time she tried it.

Watch for Suicidal Ideas or Thoughts

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 90 percent of the people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental health disorder, usually depression or substance abuse. If your child is making threats to harm himself, get help immediately. You may have to call 911 to get him to the nearest hospital, and he may be very angry with you. However, at least he will be alive to be angry.

Source:

Psychology Today: The lowdown on depression

National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Disorders in America

More Information:

Healthy Place: America's Mental Health Channel