The everything parent's guide to children with depression : an authoritative handbook on identifying symptoms, choosing treatments, and raising a happy and healthy child / Rebecca Rutledge ; technical review by Thomas Bannister.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Getting a handle on childhood depression -- Do kids really get depressed? -- Prevalence in children and teens -- Theories of depression -- What is depression exactly? -- Childhood versus teenage depression -- Behavioral symptoms -- Emotional symptoms -- 2. Causes of depression -- Genetics -- Brain chemistry -- Physical illness -- The family environment -- Loss -- Television and other influences -- Stressful life events -- 3. Predictors of depression -- Family history -- Loss -- Sleep and appetite -- Behavior -- Comments -- Helplessness -- Self-esteem -- 4. Is my child depressed? -- A look at the depressed child -- Keep a calendar -- Glean information from school, family, and friends -- Get the diagnosis right -- Using depression questionnaires -- Psychotic depression -- Get a physical exam.

5. Risk factors -- Problems with social skills -- School problems -- Learning disabilities -- Chronic illness -- Family environment -- Sibling troubles -- Preexisting psychiatric illness -- 6. Depression as a part of other psychological problems -- Anxiety disorders -- Eating disorders -- Sexuality -- Self-injury -- Learning disorders -- Behavioral problems -- Low self-esteem -- 7. Dysthymia and bipolar disorder -- Defining and diagnosing dysthymia -- What does a dysthymic child look like? -- Where dysthymia ends and depression begins -- Defining and diagnosing bipolar disorder -- What Does a bipolar child look like? -- Track the symptoms -- Treatment options -- 8. Depression-related issues -- Depression's link to other mental illnesses -- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- Oppositional defiant disorder -- Conduct disorder -- Physical and sexual abuse -- Seasonal affective disorder -- Alcohol and drug abuse -- Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Medical illnesses.

9. Seeking professional help -- When to intervene -- Parental reservations about getting help -- Educating yourself -- Finding a diagnostician -- Preparing for the first appointment -- How to pick the right therapist -- The importance of honesty and full disclosure -- 10. The decision to undergo treatment -- Do Your homework -- Discussing treatment with your child -- Who else needs to know? -- Exploring parental feelings and fears -- Trusting your gut -- Getting a second opinion -- 11. Treatment for the mind, body, and soul -- Psychotherapy -- Medication -- Medication side effects -- Alternative remedies -- Diet, exercise, and spirituality -- The role of advocate for your child -- 12. Strategies for children -- Education -- Cognitive restructuring -- Problem-solving skills -- Communication skills -- Labeling emotions -- Seeking outlets for emotional expression -- Demystifying the stigma of mental illness.

13. Suicide : is your child at risk? -- Prevalence among children and teens -- Risk factors -- Warning signs -- Suicidal ideation -- Suicide-proofing the home -- Help manage suicidal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors -- 14. Inpatient treatment -- Is it time for inpatient treatment? -- Treatment settings -- Picking a facility -- What to expect from inpatient treatment -- The parental role in treatment -- Inpatient treatment is over, now what? -- 15. Prevention -- Open communication -- Teaching communication skills -- Physical activity -- Creative outlets -- Education -- Fostering self-esteem -- 16. All in the family -- Depression's effects on the family -- Caring for the caregiver -- Nurture the adult relationship -- Siblings -- Extended family -- Family therapy.

17. Parenting the depressed child -- Avoiding the "poor, pitiful me" syndrome -- Developing trust -- Effective discipline -- Knowing when to back off -- Keep perspective in the midst of chaos -- Encourage self-reliance --18. At-risk parents and depression -- Depression -- Drug and alcohol abuse -- Divorce -- Marital discord -- Parental history of abuse -- Toxic parenting -- 19. School -- Should the school know? -- Reasonable accommodations -- Putting school resources to good use -- The parent's role at school -- Manage depression's effect on school performance -- When the school isn't on board -- 20. What does the future hold? -- Is the depression gone? -- Overparenting -- Maintain a close relationship -- Preparing for developmental changes -- Your child's identity after depression -- Major life events and stressors -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. Resources on childhood and adolescent depression -- Appendix B. Depression questionnaires.

In this reassuring, practical handbook, Drs. Rebecca Rutledge and Thomas Bannister offer the professional advice you need to determine: if your child is at risk of suffering from depression, how and when to get professional help for this condition, the best treatment options for depression, the benefits and side effects of medication to treat depression, and what you and your family can do to help your child.