DOTHAN, Ala. - Depression in kids is more common than you may think. A local research center is conducting a free clinical trial to help diagnose and treat children with the difficult condition. Dr. Michael Ramsey, a Pediatrician at Dothan Pediatric Clinic states “we have seen an increase in the number of depressed children over the last 10 to 12 years and so now some estimates say that there are probably 4 million depressed children in America today. According to physicians, the signs of depression in children are different than the signs in adults.”

Children tend to get more hyperactive, then tend to show a lot more anxiety, a lot more sleeping problems, a lot more school issues, or with drawl from friends and so those symptoms can be different. Some of the causes of depression in kids can include, stresses in the relationship between the mother and the father, if one of the parents is absent, economic stress and fitting in with friends

Ramsey says “especially if you have a child who may not be responding to traditional therapy or if you are in a situation where you don't have insurance or don't have access to medical care, clinical trial could be a way where you can get excellent care, very close follow up and free medication.” Free Clinical trials conducted at Harmonex Neuroscience Research in Dothan provide new treatment options for kids dealing with depression.

According to Barbara Skelton, the Director of Clinical Research at Harmonex says “the trial that we are starting is for children age 7 to 17, it's for a medication that's already FDA approved, however, they just want to get the indication so that it can be prescribed openly for children and adolescents.” The advantage of participating in a clinical trial is that there is no cost to participants or their parents. The medications, lab work and weekly visits to see the doctor, are all provided by the pharmaceutical company who benefits from the research and data obtained.

If you think your child is showing signs of depression and would like more information on this trial or other upcoming trials, click on the “For More Info” tab.