Depression is a medical illness that is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, report doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians. Depression is more than just feeling sad occasionally, it is an inability to control moods and can be triggered by any number of stressful events. Because children often cannot express their feelings well, parents and educators should watch for signs of childhood depression.
Physical Signs
Young children with depression often have very poor appetites. They have a tendency to lose weight when they should be growing. As children age, they may start eating more than necessary. Sleeping patterns often change as depressed children may sleep more or less than usual. They may complain of headaches and stomachaches more often. Children who are depressed may have regular crying jags and have difficulty concentrating.
Social Signs
Parents and childcare workers may notice that a child does not enjoy playing at various times in activities he once enjoyed. Children may be reluctant to go to school or go outside and play. Depressed children prefer to isolate, and they have trouble building friendships. They are often bored and have very low energy levels. Untreated depression in children can lead to a troublesome adolescence that includes legal issues, substance abuse, eating disorders, self-mutilation, promiscuity or other risky behaviors. Increased forgetfulness and a sudden drop in grades at school can indicate the onset of depression.
Emotional Signs
Children who suffer from depression often lack confidence and are afraid to try new things. When they begin talking, they may say things like they can't do anything right or things are not going to go well anyway, and ask why they should even try. They may talk about running away from home or taking their own lives. Children who are overly sensitive to criticism or do not accept failure well may suffer from depression. They express signs of irritability and increasing hostility and anger. Depressed children are overtly sad for long periods of time and may exhibit a general attitude of hopelessness.
Risks
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, depression is often inherited, as children with depression often have other family members who suffer from the same illness. Children who undergo a major loss or those who have attention deficit disorder or other learning disorders are at a high risk for depression. Moving or change such as the parents' divorce can trigger depression in children with a chemical predisposition to the disease. While children may experience major bouts of situational depression, once they have experienced depression, they have a tendency to have repeated episodes.
