The Genesis behavioral health program includes a full-range of mental health and substance abuse treatment.
2951 Maple Avenue
Zanesville, OH 43701
United States
Genesis' behavioral health program provides comprehensive psychiatric services and substance abuse treatment.
Childhood is often synonymous with being carefree, but for children living with depression each day can be increasingly difficult. While becoming more common, depression in children and adolescents is frequently overlooked and easily missed - leading to serious mental health issues, including an increased risk of suicide.
Fortunately, timely recognition and treatment can be life-changing for children and adolescents struggling with depression, according to Howard A. Beazel, Psy.D., Genesis Behavioral Health. "It certainly can be harder to diagnose depression in children," he states.
To help understand the reality of childhood depression, Dr. Beazel offers answers and hope for the serious, but treatable, illness.
Depression affects the way one feels, thinks and acts. A mental illness marked by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, depression can also lead to thoughts of suicide.
Yes, but children don't always get the classic symptoms of sadness, decrease in mood and lack of energy most people think of when they think of depression, explains Dr. Beazel.
In fact, children may frequently show more irritability and become more overactive and/or complain more of somatic or physical symptoms,” he says. “While adults can tell you they feel depressed, children often don’t.”
Although it's normal for children to experience the normal “blues” and everyday emotions as they develop, ongoing symptoms that interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork, and family life may signal a child has depression. Studies report the mental health of teens and young adults in the U.S. has considerably declined, with rates of depression among kids ages 14 to 17 increased by more than 60% between 2009 and 2017.
Just like every child is different, so are the symptoms that may show they are depressed. Although some children may continue to function with depression, others suffer a noticeable change in behavior. Some children may also begin using drugs or alcohol, especially if they are over age 12.
Signs a child may be depressed include:
While there are no specific tests — medical or psychological — that can clearly diagnose depression in children, there are tools including questionnaires for both the child and parents that can be helpful. Therapy sessions combined with questionnaires can often uncover other concerns that may contribute to depression, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
“Because children often won’t tell you or anyone else how they’re feeling, we almost always try to talk with their parents to help diagnose depression,” says Dr. Beazel. “What the parents see, such as appetite or sleep changes, changes in level of activity or ability, or change in mood is paramount for us to best evaluate a child.”
Thoughts of killing oneself can accompany depression — even in children, according to Dr. Beazel. “Although relatively rare in children under 12, young children do attempt suicide.”
Suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, may not always be obvious to others, even the child’s parents. In fact, teen and adolescent suicides have continued to rise dramatically in recent years. According to a recent study in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, among young people, rates of suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts increased significantly — and in some cases doubled — between 2008 and 2017.
Signs of suicidal thoughts may be apparent in the child’s social behaviors, what they watch on television, the websites they visit, and through journal entries or on their homework. “In the majority of cases where a child is admitted for inpatient treatment of depression, they have made some comment or gesture that makes people concerned they may hurt themselves,” states Dr. Beazel.
While depression is significantly more common in boys under age 10, girls have a greater incidence of depression by age 16. During adolescence, young women are almost twice as likely to be depressed as young men — and these women continue to have a higher likelihood of depression in their adult years.
“It appears adolescent females tend to have depression complaints more frequently, with some theorizing that this difference may be related to hormonal changes,” says Dr. Beazel. “There are also often more social demands and expectations on females in terms of behavior and conforming, which can contribute to additional stresses for females.”
Treatment options for children with depression are similar to those used for adults, including psychotherapy (counseling) and medication. Your child’s doctor may suggest either medications or psychotherapy first, but research has shown the best treatment for those with a true depressive disorder is the combination of medication and therapy, according to Dr. Beazel.
“Some people may have concerns about using medications due to possible side-effects and these concerns should be discussed with the medical provider, but again, research indicates the best outcome for seriously depressed individuals tends to be from using therapy/counseling and antidepressant medication together,” he states.
Oftentimes medications tend to have a more rapid effect, and psychotherapeutic efforts may enable the patient to recognize and cope with problems more effectively. “One major concern is many kids who’ve been depressed, are facing depression or have been diagnosed with depression are at a greater risk of being diagnosed with depression again later,” Dr. Beazel explains.
Clearly if a seriously depressed youth is considered to be at risk for hurting themselves, medical intervention may be critical, and inpatient treatment is usually undertaken, explains Dr. Beazel.
“Youth that are hospitalized for depression and/or suicidal concerns generally receive both psychotropic medication as well as various forms of psychotherapeutic interventions, such as group therapies,” he states. “Psychotherapy can teach kids to recognize and cope with problems and situations that may have been difficult before — as well as responding more effectively to new challenges.”
It's easy to slip into negativity with all that's going on in the world. 2020 has certainly been "one for the books," with the utter devastation of COVID-19. However, experts like Dr. Howard Beazel, Psychologist at Genesis Behavioral Health, says it's important for individuals to find ways to keep their mental wellness in a healthy state.
One tactic he recommends is to recognize the reality of the situation and understand what you can and cannot control. "It's okay to be a little distressed; it's healthy to recognize the reality of it. Recognize what you do have control over. I don't have control over my neighbors or people in the street, but I can wear a mask. I can wash [my] hands. That control gives you some sense of competency, and that tends to lead to more positive things."
Another strategy is to distinguish between “social” distancing and “physical” distancing. What we really should be practicing is physical distancing.
“We need to make extra effort to be as sociable as we can, because the COVID-19 situation is making it so much harder. There are ways to be sociable,” states Dr. Beazel. “I have a daughter who lives in Singapore, but we communicate fairly regularly by telephone and FaceTime. We need to keep connected with the people we love and care about. And at times like this, we probably need to make a little extra effort to do so.”
There will be a time when COVID-19 doesn’t seem so suffocating. Even then, there will be scenarios when individuals may feel down and become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Dr. Beazel offers a few tips to meet the negativity and overcome it.
1) Evaluate what you think makes you happy… does it really? We’re often taught that money can bring happiness. While that may be true to an extent, true joy typically comes from meaningful relationships.
2) Practice positivity! Like anything, the more you practice the better you’ll become. Be intentional with your positivity. You can even document it in a journal, such as acts of kindness you encounter or things for which you’re thankful.
3) Understand the physiological response negativity causes. The more negative we tend to be, the more stressed we tend to be, which affects the body’s autonomic nervous system. Repeated stress can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, as well as chronic headaches and gastrointestinal issues.
4) If you can’t remove yourself, physically, from a stressful or negative situation (e.g. being stuck in traffic), practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. Regular exercise is also helpful for keeping your mind on an even keel.
Overall, Dr. Beazel says success in any of these strategies relies on being purposeful.
“I think we all need to do things on purpose, especially at times like this. I focus on the positive, but I do it on purpose. Sometimes I have to practice and step back and say, wait, let's take a breath. Let's relax. Let's look at this differently. Let's see if there's a better perspective here. That'll work better for me. Try to engage meaningfully with others, try to get [your body] moving, and try to see things from another perspective.”
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When substance use affects your relationships, health, work, school or finances, ask Genesis Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program for help. You’ll learn to identify signs of chemical dependency and develop skills for solving problems and making positive changes. For more information, call (740) 454-5927.
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When substance use affects your relationships, health, work, school or finances, ask Genesis Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program for help. You’ll learn to identify signs of chemical dependency and develop skills for solving problems and making positive changes. For more information, call (740) 454-5927.
Get help abstaining from alcohol and drugs with counseling, individualized treatment, group therapy, education and family support.
Find substance abuse treatment for teens in Genesis’ specialized program that offers individual and family support.
Medication, combined with therapies and education, to support recovery from addiction.
Contact the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program for more information.
If you or your loved ones experience signs of a mental health condition or substance abuse disorder, turn to Genesis HealthCare System for support from compassionate experts. You’ll find a full range of both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care programs.
Journey toward recovery in the safe, calming environment of Genesis Behavioral Health Center—the only comprehensive facility of its kind in southeastern Ohio. You gain access to the following services in one convenient location:
Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care for adults, adolescents and children
Intensive outpatient group therapy program for adults
Substance abuse support and recovery programs
You’ll feel at home in our building with private rooms, natural light, exercise equipment, quiet areas and more. You can contact Genesis Behavioral Health at (740) 454-4615.
