Children and Teens With ADHD and Depression

Parent of children with ADHD must pay attention if their child’s behavior changes. Sometimes when a very active child becomes more quiet, their parents believe this is a good sign because the hyperactivity is subsiding. Unfortunately their child could be exhibiting symptoms of depression.

In fact, children and teens with ADHD are at risk for developing depression as much as 3 times greater than for other children. As many as 25% of teens with ADHD are depressed. Research points to two underlying factors that can trigger depression in children or teens with ADHD.

Depression shares certain symptoms with ADHD, such as inability to concentrate, mood swings, irritability and agitated behavior, making it difficult to know whether a child is suffering from depression, ADHD or both. Seek professional help for an accurate and timely diagnosis.

We can assume that many children with ADHD experience daily negative feedback from parents, teachers, bus drivers and even their peers lowering their self-esteem. This constant feeling of malaise with the world around them, results in enough stress, frustration and anger that they can be driven to depression.

But the depression is not only cause by demoralization that can result from the day to day struggles of dealing with ADHD. Research has suggested that depression in children and teens with ADHD is a co-morbid disorder. ADHD and depression co-exist and have to be both treated separately

Parents must be vigilant to note any changes in their child with ADHD because the depression must be attended to. Some changes and behaviors that should trigger an alarm bell are:
*No energy or fatigue nearly every day
* Stops talking, withdraws from the family by retreating into his/her room
* Odd sleeping patterns , insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
* Constant low, depressed or irritable mood most of the day
* Overly emotional over trivial matters, frequent mood changes
*Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
*Changes in eating habits accompanied by significant weight loss or weight gain
*Tearfulness or frequent crying
*Feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt
*A strong sense of not being understood and approved of by parents, siblings, or peers
*Feelings of wanting to leave home, wanting to run away
*Recurrent thoughts of death and/or suicidal thoughts

 At the first signs of depression seek professional help. Left untreated, depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing and escalate from there. It is a fact that untreated depression is very risky and potentially fatal.

Take action right away. The parents and other adults in a child's life must intervene because the child does not understand what depression is and he does not realize that how he is feeling in not the norm.

A professional evaluation is needed to distinguish between normal moodiness, ADHD symptoms and depression. Depression does not go away by itself. With proper diagnosis and treatment a depressed child or teen can be greatly helped.

Always keep open lines of communications with your child, your child's friends and teachers. Parents and teachers working together, with the child following a professional’s counsel, is the only way to assure your child will get all the guidance and support he needs for both his ADHD and depression

What were the first symptoms you noticed when your child or a child you know became depressed?

The Depressing Facts About Juvenile Bipolar Disorder

Derryck Smith, head of psychiatry at the Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, wrote in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry last July: "There is no greater controversy in child and adolescent psychiatry than that related to the diagnosis, treatment and increasing prevalence of childhood-onset bipolar disorder."

While the debate rages on, parents and children struggle on. The following facts do not paint a pretty picture of the situation. Doctors, researchers and experts at children's hospitals, mental-health support groups and referral services must push for answers and programs to help families crippled by Juvenile Bipolar Disorder.

The Depressing Facts:


*Some psychiatrists suspect that under broad definitions, childhood bipolar disorder may be more prevalent than autism - affecting between 1 and 2 per cent of all children.


*Bipolar disorder was thought to be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain, now researchers can also identify specific areas of the brain that are affected by the illness.


*According to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, 15% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually be bipolar.


*Many of the frustrating or objectionable behaviors displayed by students with bipolar disorder are actually symptoms of neurological instability in the brain rather than willful misconduct.


* The disorder is often suspected by a knowledgeable parent, psychiatrist, pediatrician, psychologist, therapist, or social worker based on information and observations from the patient, family members, and others who know the child well.


*A correct and thorough evaluation as early as possible is critical since psycho stimulant medications, often prescribed for ADHD, may worsen manic symptoms of juvenile bipolar disorder.


*According to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF), children with bipolar disorder can be charming and charismatic during an appointment. They initially may appear to a professional to be functioning well. Therefore, CABF suggests you take daily notes of your child's mood, behavior, sleep patterns, unusual events and statements made by your child that cause you concern. Share these notes with the child and adolescent psychiatrist who you choose to evaluate your child.


*Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be l5-30%. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50-75%.


* Juvenile Bipolar disorder has always stood out as one of the toughest psychiatric disorders to diagnose, manage and monitor because of the ultra-ultra rapid mood swings of mania and depression and the other comorbid conditions.


*Health care professionals may be reluctant to prematurely "label" a young person with a mental illness diagnosis. Yet early diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders are critical to healthy emotional, social, and behavioral development.

*Research suggests the earlier the disease strikes, the more severe the illness will become.

*Bipolar children are at risk for failing grades and drug abuse. Prone to suicide, reckless behaviour and delusions of grandeur, no mental illness results in more premature deaths than bipolar depression.

An Educator's Guide to Pediatric Bipolar Disorder February 5, 2010, on the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation website gives this advice:

"A child with bipolar disorder needs medical treatment, but medication is just one element of an effective treatment plan. It is equally important for the child to be surrounded as much as possible by supportive people in settings that minimize daily stress.

 An effective treatment plan for bipolar disorder requires three essential elements:

• Medication

• Lifestyle and environmental changes

• School accommodations

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, lifelong condition. However, medications can help alleviate and reduce symptoms so they are less intrusive, smooth out mood fluctuations, reduce anxiety and distractibility, and increase frustration tolerance. Because stress is a trigger that intensifies bipolar symptoms and causes a decline in overall level of functioning, lifestyle and school changes should be made to reduce stress."

As grim as all this sounds, focus on the big picture. Create opportunities for your bipolar child to shine and feel good about him/herself…this little star has talents, gifts and a whole life ahead that you are instrumental in making  happier and brighter. "If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito”

Leave us a comment telling us the support or services in your area for families affected by Juvenile Bipolar Disorder.