Dear Cassy: Helping kids through depression

During my work as a school based therapist I am asked again and again by parents: “Is this normal, should I worry about my child’s behavior.” I think what they are really asking is, “Is this normal pre teen/ teen moodiness or is it something more severe like anxiety or depression?” The question is What are anxiety and depression, really? I am not big on diagnoses -- I think treating the symptoms is more important  But here are the official definitions. Anxiety is a general term fo