21 Mar Is Your Child’s Depression Diagnosis Accurate?

Depression and anxiety can be very challenging to diagnose. These two medical conditions have many overlapping symptoms that cause doctors to misdiagnose and mislead patients. As Christopher Willard, PsyD, author of Child’s Mind: Mindfulness Practices to Help Our Children Be More Focused, Calm, and Relaxed says, “Depression may manifest with different symptoms for different people, and those symptoms often overlap with symptoms of anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even addictions.” Common statements made by your child’s doctor may include “It’s all in your head” or “it’s just a phase.” However, more often than not, it’s not just a phase. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 11% of children will have a depressive disorder by age 18 while 8% of youth will be formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. More importantly, depression and anxiety are not psychological conditions. They are medical disorders requiring professional treatment.