What should I do if a child has severe depression?
Disease description:
The child has been nonverbal lately and sometimes harms himself. What should I do if a child has severe depression?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhu Gang
Children with major depression may be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Since children are still in their developmental stage, those suffering from depression must receive prompt and active treatment. An integrated approach should primarily emphasize psychotherapy, with medication as a secondary component. Due to the strong thoughts of self-harm or suicide commonly seen in patients with severe depression, there is a significant risk of self-injury if they are not hospitalized. Inpatient treatment allows for 24-hour monitoring, enables more effective administration of medication, and facilitates quicker control of symptoms.
