Childhood Depression - Depression in Children

Depression, unfortunately is not a condition that is limited to adults, a large number of children are beginning to suffer from it too. This does not mean that, because your child appears sad or depressed at times, they have depression. It is only if these symptoms begin to become more disruptive, persistent, and start affecting regular social activities, family life, school work and interests that you should be concerned, as it could then be indicative of depression. This condition, albeit of a serious nature, is also a very treatable one. The symptoms of this condition will vary from child to child. These symptoms are very often left untreated, undiagnosed and are passed off as the normal physiological and emotional changes that take place during the growth process.

Symptoms of Depression in Children

Following are some of the symptoms of depression in children; anger or irritability, social withdrawal, difficulty in concentrating, low energy levels and fatigue, vocal outbursts, changes in either sleep or appetite, an increased sensitivity towards rejection and lack of interest in school or extra-curricular activities. At times a child may also resort to substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs. As per statistics about 2.5% of children are estimated to suffer from this condition in the U.S. This condition may be brought about, by any combination, of a large number of factors that are linked to life events, physical health, environment, family history, biochemical disturbance and genetic vulnerability. The seriousness of this condition should never be undermined. It is neither a passing mood nor is it a condition that will disappear without adequate treatment. Although suicides are relatively rare among those below the age of 12, young children however also do attempt it, particularly out of impulse if they are angry or upset.

While girls are prone to attempt it, boys are more likely to succeed in the attempt. Children that have family histories of alcohol abuse, violence, sexual or physical abuse face a greater risk of attempting suicide, since they are the ones with greater depressive symptoms. Unfortunately there are no precise psychological or medical tests that can clearly detect this condition. If you notice that the symptoms in your child seem to have lasted for over 2 weeks, then scheduling an appointment with his/her doctor would be advisable. This would help in determining the cause for the symptoms, while also ensuring that your child gets all the adequate treatment required, to overcome this condition.