Article: Depression comes with a host of typical signs in any person. These symptoms can often manifest themselves differently in children. Noticing if your child has any signs of depression can help you more readily identify a potential problem and seek professional help in a timely manner. Your child may be depressed if they have the following signs:  Being sad, irritable, tearful, or cranky most of the day Showing an inability to enjoy the things that they used to Showing significant changes in weight, either up or down Sleeping too little at night or too much during the day Wanting to be alone Lacking energy or feeling an inability to do even simple tasks Feeling worthless or guilty Having trouble concentrating or making choices Having little or no care about the future Having aches or pains when nothing is wrong Thinking frequently about death or suicide Depression is not something you can treat on your own. The best way to help your child is to get professional treatment. Call your child’s doctor and make an appointment. Let the office know what it’s for so that the staff can get your child in as soon as possible. Depression can be treated in more than 80% of the people who have it.  Tell your child that you’re concerned about the way they have been feeling and that you’re taking them to the doctor. Let your child know that depression is normal and that seeing the doctor can help them feel much better. Make sure you tell your child to be honest when talking to the doctor so that they can get the best help available to overcome depression. Let the doctor know any symptoms you’ve noticed in your child and ask any questions you may have. Remember that when you’re answering questions to also give your child a chance to speak. Your child’s doctor may refer them to a mental health professional. These individuals can help your child manage their depression, especially if your child feels comfortable with the person. If a person is not a good fit with your child, try another professional. Ask your doctor which of the following mental health professionals might be right to help your child:  Psychiatrist, which is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat depression as well as prescribe medicine Psychologist, which is a health professional who can diagnose and treat depression but may not write prescriptions Licensed clinical social worker, which is an individual who has a degree in social work and is qualified to treat your child’s depression Treatment for depression in children is often a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Giving your child prescribed anti-depressants can help relieve the symptoms of their depression.  Be aware that the Food and Drug Administration has only approved two drugs for use in children. These are fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Prozac is approved for children over the age of eight and Lexapro for children over 12. These medications may increase the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior in children and you should closely monitor your child if they are taking an anti-depressant.  Keep in mind that it can take two to four weeks for antidepressants to begin working for your child. Use therapy and self-care to help your child during this period. Many doctors may have your child gradually stop taking the medication after six to 12 months.  Make sure your child takes their medications as directed every day. This is one of the biggest ways you can help them with depression.  Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist if your child is under 8 and suffering from depression. Your child’s doctor may want to try alternative treatments if therapy, medication, and self-care are not working. From hospital stays to electroconvulsive therapy, these alternative treatments may help relieve your child’s depression. Some of the alternative treatments you may want to think about for your child are:  A hospital stay or outpatient day treatment for your child if they are really struggling with depression. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is a surgical procedure in which electrical currents are passed to the brain to improve brain function. Despite many misperceptions, it is safe for children and often has a high response rate, which means it can help a child with depression relatively quickly.  Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which can help those children who don’t respond to anti-depressants. For this procedure, a treatment coil is placed against the scalp to send a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells involved in mood regulation. Although doctors are still gathering evidence on the efficacy of TMS in children, it is safe and may help your child if other treatments aren’t working.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Recognizing the signs of depression in a child. Schedule an appointment with a doctor. Get a referral to a mental health professional. Consider anti-depressant medications. Consider alternative treatments.
Article: Dermatologists are experts on skin, nails, and hair diseases; they can let you know if you have any skin conditions that would require treatment. Your primary care doctor can recommend a dermatologist to you, or you can find one online. The American Academy of Dermatology is also a good resource, helping to match people with dermatologists in their area.  Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin cells from your face. If you have acne, open cuts, or burnt skin, consult a dermatologist before trying an exfoliation treatment. Look for board-certified dermatologists. This certification indicates that they have completed medical school, have undergone a three-year residency in dermatology, and have passed an  exam through the American Board of Dermatology. If you experienced discomfort when you tried to exfoliate, let your dermatologist know. If you have a rash, blemish, or bump that isn't going away, bring this up during your appointment. The dermatologist can also let you know if any moles that you may have look troubling. Bring information about your medical history to your appointment, including any allergies you may have or medications that you have been using. Be prepared with a pen and notepad so that you can take note of the doctor's advice. For extreme cases, your dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel for exfoliation. High pH levels in chemical peels can help prevent skin irritation and tissue damage, along with making moisturizers and anti-aging treatments more effective.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find a dermatologist. Express your concerns. Learn about alternative treatments.