by Rita Milios

Are you feeling low? Have you lost interest in activities that you used to enjoy? You may be suffering from depression. And you”re not alone. Between 9 and 14 million Americans suffer from some form of depressive illness. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop depression in their lifetimes. Children, too, are affected by depression. Approximately one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents exhibit signs of depression, yet, less than one third of these children ever receive treatment.

So what are the signs of depression? Symptoms differ for adults and children. Following are some simple checklists that can help you determine if you or your child might be at risk for depression. When reviewing the checklists, consider the following: How long have the symptoms been present? How severe are the symptoms? Are the symptoms getting worse over time? Do you feel unable to cope with yourself or with you child”s symptoms? In general, if symptoms last more than two weeks without letting up, you or your child may be experiencing clinical depression rather than just the blues. In children, excessive or chronic moodiness, withdrawal from normal activities or aggressive behaviors should be considered warning signs. Of course, teens are often moody and irritable, but if these symptoms are chronic and unrelenting, there may be more to it than the normal teenage angst. A good guideline is: symptoms should be checked out by a professional if they cause disruption in normal daily activities. When in doubt, always consult a mental health professional, such as a clinical social worker (LISW, clinical counselor (LPCC), psychologist or psychiatrist.

Recent studies have shown that there is no one medication that is consistently superior to another in treating depression, and medication alone has about the same success rate (approximately 50%) as psychotherapy alone. However, both together have about an 80% success rate. For people with chronic depression, who choose not to continue medication over a long period (more than one year), cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to reduce relapse rates from about 80% (with no treatment) to 25%.

Depression Symptom Checklist: Adults

%95. Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood

%95 Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex

%95 Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”

%95 Sleep problems (insomnia, oversleeping, early-morning waking)

%95 Eating problems (loss of appetite or weight, weight gain)

%95 Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

%95 Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

%95 Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

%95 Thoughts of death or suicide; a suicideattempt %2A

%95 Irritability

%95 Excessive crying

%95 Recurring aches and pains that don’t respond to treatment

Depression Symptom Checklist: Child/Adolescent

%95 Persistent sadness

%95 Withdrawal from family, friends and activities that were once enjoyed

%95 Increased irritability or agitation

%95 Changes in eating and sleeping habits (e.g., significant weight loss, insomnia, excessive sleep)

%95 Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches

%95 Lack of enthusiasm or motivation

%95 Decreased energy level and chronic fatigue

%95 Play that involves excessive aggression toward self or others, or that involves persistently sad themes

%95 Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness

%95 Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

%95 Recurring thoughts of death or suicide %2A

(Source: National Mental Health Association)

%2A Immediately seek help with a mental health professional, crisis center, or doctor if suicidal symptoms are present.

Rita Milios, the Mind Mentor, is a psychotherapist, author and speaker on topics of mind, behavior and creativity. She is the author of Tools for Transformation, Discovering Positive Thinking, and more than two dozen other books. View more helpful articles at http://www.ritamilios.com/