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Adult Depression Vs. Juvenile Depression

Adults and children alike suffer with depression. Often, depression in children is not diagnosed. The symptoms of depression in both adults and juveniles are basically the same, but treatment with medication is often different because of the way that juveniles respond to some medication.

  1. About

    • Approximately two to five percent of adults are diagnosed with a major depressive disorder at some time in their lives, and 25 percent of children are diagnosed with it during their teenage years.

    Differences

    • The most significant difference between depression in adults versus juveniles is the way that the two groups respond to medication. Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants are effective in treating adult depression, but they have either little effect or harmful side effects on juveniles.

    Identification

    • Identifying depression in adults and juveniles is similar. Both age groups experience consistent feelings of sadness or despair, physical pains, abnormal sleeping and eating patterns and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.

    Misconceptions

    • The biggest misconception when comparing juvenile and adult depression is that many people believe juveniles cannot become depressed. This is not the case, as a major depressive disorder can affect people of all ages, races and genders.

    Warnings

    • Warning signs for children include sudden changes in his behavior, angry or aggressive behavior, risk taking, low self-esteem, change in clothing or image, changes in attitude or sleep patterns. Warning signs for adults include comments of being worthless, helplessness or hopelessness, talking about suicide, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed and body aches.

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