When depression hits at any age it is a devastating experience. Most people do not realize it, but depression in children does happen. Unfortunately, children do not have the ability to express how they feel very well and do not have the experience needed to understand what it is they are experiencing. Children have to depend on the ability of parents, teachers and doctors to recognize symptoms of childhood depression and get treatment for them as soon as possible.
Depression in Children
Childhood depression is very much the same as depression in adults. In just the same way, it does not improve with time and needs some form of intervention and therapy to make the person better. Treatment for childhood depression is just as effective in children as it is in adults. Childhood depression is best treated early and has better recovery odds when recognized and caught when the symptoms first show up. Changes in mood, attitude and behavior.
Most of the time parents are able to recognize changes in a child’s behavior and note times when the child s not behaving normally. It is at these times that some intervention is necessary. The parents can work out a plan with the doctor where they write down all relevant information about the episode (duration, symptoms and behavior) and have this information ready when they get to the office. The doctor will rule out any possible reasons for the episode and conduct a depression evaluation to determine exactly what the child is experiencing.
Causes
Similar to adult depression, childhood depression can have myriad reasons for presenting itself. Childhood depression can be biological or physical. Chemical imbalances in the brain or hormonal changes can trigger a depressive episode as can physical triggers (grief, loss, illness, etc.). There does not need to be any particular trigger to start a depressive episode so it is important to pay attention to the child’s behavior. It is important to discuss with the child about how they feel and what they think caused the change. Every child needs to learn how to express feeling vocally to facilitate diagnosis and it is the responsibility of the adults to see to it that the child has the necessary tools. If you do not bring it up, the child may not either and try to deal with the problem solo which can result in chronic depression, one of the more difficult types of depression to treat.
Signs of Childhood Depression
Depression in children has many of the same signs as depression in adults but children typically do not take note of the changes or report them. The following are signs of depression in children:
Recurring thoughts or discussion of death or suicide
Risk Factors for Childhood Depression
Risk factors for depression in children are as varied as they are for adults. The primary factor is a family history of depression or mental illness. Children who are under stress for education or who have learning disorders are at high risk for developing depression. Children who have suffered loss (due to death, divorce or separation) are also at high risk. Teenage girls are at particular risk for depression as are runaways.
Children and teens that have had depressive episodes are at risk for developing more severe forms of depression and may have depressive disorders as adults. Suicide risk is increased in children who have suffered any depressive episodes.
Parental Role
Parents play an active role in getting help for their children who experience depression. It is important that the parents take an active role in the lives of their children and be aware of normal behavior to be able to note abnormal behavior. Parents need to know the signs to look for so it is important that you speak to a mental health professional about symptoms, treatments and services in your area. One very important thing to do is get in contact with other parents who are going through similar experiences to share ideas, advice and for moral support for the children and for the parents.
