Children, just like adults, can develop depression. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that at any given time, about 5 percent of children and adolescents suffer from depression. Parents and teachers should become aware of the signs and symptoms of childhood depression, because early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of childhood depression include a persistent sad or irritable mood, trouble eating or sleeping, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, loss of pleasure, feelings of hopelessness, guilt and worthlessness, physical issues such as stomach aches and thoughts of suicide. If your child is suffering from depression, her grades will probably drop due to her symptoms, and she'll have a harder time maintaining relationships with her peers. She might refuse to go to school, stop spending the night at her friend's house on the weekends and be too tired to participate in activities like family game night. The things that used to make her happy such as playing with her dolls no longer do.
Causes
There isn't one specific cause of childhood depression. Instead, it usually occurs do to a few factors, according to Kids Health. These factors include low levels of neurotransmitters, a family history of mental illness, chronic illness and significant life events. Some children who have a low self-esteem and lack of confidence develop depression. Children can become depressed after being bullied or taunted repeatedly at school or after experiencing traumatic events.
Types
According to Kids Health, there are three main types of childhood depression: major depression, dysthymia and manic depression. Major depression and manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, are the two most serious types of depression, because a child's risk of suicide significantly increases. Major depression occurs when a child suffers from severe symptoms of depression for at least two weeks. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a child swings from periods of mania to periods of depression. Dysthymia is a milder form of depression diagnosed when a child experiences feelings of sadness most of the time for at least one year.
Treatment
Treatment for depression depends on the child's specific diagnosis, other mental health issues and the severity of the symptoms. The two most common forms of treatment include medication such as antidepressants and psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or play therapy. Play therapy is used when a child doesn't have the ability to engage in more traditional forms of talk therapy.
Warning
Children who suffer from depression are more likely to have thoughts of suicide than children who don't have mental health issues. Signs of suicidal ideation include talking about or drawing about death, saying goodbye, hopelessness, giving away prized possessions and isolation. If you think your child is having thoughts of suicide, you should get immediate help for him. You can call your child's therapist, contact the police or take him to your local psychiatric emergency room.
