Childhood depression is a serious condition which can affect all areas of a child's functioning. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression in children that is left untreated can continue into adulthood and develop into more serious conditions. Boys and girls exhibit depression at about the same rate up until puberty. By age 15, girls are twice as likely to suffer from major depression than are boys.
Puberty
Some girls mature faster than others and become self-conscious about their developing bodies. Girls who negatively compare themselves to their peers may suffer low self worth which can subsequently turn into depression. Girls develop hips and breasts as well as accumulate more layers of fat during puberty. While boys view becoming larger as positive, girls look at their enlarging bodies with distaste. Puberty also brings about emotional and behavioral changes which previously were not experienced. Irritability, tension and moodiness can be unwelcome and confusing. The inability to deal with these changes can lead a young girl to feel depressed.
Body Image
Adolescence is a time of intense self scrutiny and self doubt. Changing bodies are often viewed critically, and comparisons to peers constantly take place. The National Institute of Social Workers points out that there is increased pressure on girls to adhere to the societal norms of what are acceptable body types. These body types are unrealistic and unachievable by most. Girls are especially vulnerable to these media messages, as they are frequent consumers of magazines and music videos that depict these images. The inability to have the specified body type can lead to poor self image, low self esteem and depression. Girls may also begin to display signs of an eating disorder in order to try to manipulate their bodies into their imagined ideal body type.
Coping Styles
According to the NYU Child Study Center, boys and girls exhibit different styles of problem solving. Boys tend to be more negative about how they view their problems during the early years. Boys develop more problem solving skills as well as the ability to distract themselves from thinking about their problems closer to adolescence. Girls start to show a more helpless coping style at this age. They tend to talk about and dwell on their problems with no real plan of solving whatever issue is at hand. A person's ability to examine her problems and come up with a plan of action tends to lower the chances that she will develop depression.
