Lowering the chance of depression coming back in a child or teen
Some people have depression symptoms that come back. Depression often comes and goes during a lifetime. But there are some things you can do to help lower the chance of your child's depression coming back.
- Know your child's risk of depression returning.
Some people are more likely to have depression return than others. Talk to your doctor to find out how likely your child is to have depression come back. The risk is higher if your child:
- Has a family member who's had depression.
- Has had depression symptoms that continue after treatment.
- Be sure your child stays with the treatment.
A common cause of depression returning is stopping treatment too soon. Help your child:
- Take medicines exactly as prescribed. Your child may need to keep taking the medicine for several months after the symptoms have subsided to prevent depression from coming back.
- Continue counseling. It may help prevent depression from returning, especially if your child has had multiple episodes of depression. Talk with your child's counselor if your child is having a hard time attending their sessions or thinks the sessions aren't working. Don't let your child just stop going.
- Encourage healthy choices.
Help your child:
- Eat healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your meals each day.
- Get regular exercise. Encourage your child to walk or jog, ride a bike, or play sports with friends.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule. Try to make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Connect with family members, teachers, and friends who can provide encouragement and support.
- Know the warning signs of depression coming back.
The two main symptoms are:
- Feeling sad or hopeless.
- Losing interest in daily activities.
Get help right away if you notice that depression symptoms are coming back.
Teens: How can you care for yourself to lower the chance of depression coming back?
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
- Continue to take your medicine after your symptoms improve. Don't stop taking them without talking to your doctor.
- If your depression keeps coming back, your doctor may recommend that you take medicine even longer.
- Continue counseling. It may help prevent depression from returning, especially if you've had multiple episodes of depression. Talk with your counselor if you are having a hard time attending your sessions or you think the sessions aren't working. Don't just stop going.
- Eat healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your diet each day.
- Get regular exercise. Go for a walk or jog, ride your bike, or play sports with friends.
- See your doctor right away if you have new symptoms or feel that your depression is coming back.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule. Try for 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
- Avoid using illegal drugs or marijuana and drinking alcohol.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Lowering the chance of depression coming back: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You are thinking about suicide or are threatening suicide.
- You feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself or someone else.
- You hear or see things that aren't real.
- You think or speak in a bizarre way that is not like your usual behavior.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are talking or writing about death.
- You are drinking a lot of alcohol or using drugs.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You find it hard or it's getting harder to deal with school, a job, family, or friends.
- You think your treatment is not helping or you are not getting better.
- Your symptoms get worse or you get new symptoms.
- You have any problems with your antidepressant medicines, such as side effects, or you are thinking about stopping your medicine.
- You are having manic behavior, such as having very high energy, needing less sleep than normal, or showing risky behavior such as spending money you don't have or abusing others verbally or physically.
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