Depression and Child

Depression is one of the most common psychological/psychiatric disorders. It affects a person's overall energy, mood, expressions of emotion and behavior. It was generally thought that children could not become depressed. Now researchers recognize that children, like everyone else, are not immune from this insidious and dangerous disease. Because children often do not have the capacity to step back, look at themselves, and recognize that the way they're feeling isn't normal for them, diagnosis and treatment of depression is more difficult than for adults.

An estimated 1 out of 10 children have difficulty escaping the symptoms of depression for long periods of time.

Symptom and Sign of depression in child

Childhood depression is just as serious as adult depression. However, it is important to recognize that children have unique signs to be aware of when recognizing and diagnosing depression.

• Reduced ability to function during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, extracurricular activities, and in other hobbies or interests
• refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that the parent may die.
• Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel misunderstood.
• Impaired thinking or concentration
• Fearful, tense, anxious
• Repeated rejection by other children
• Drop in school performance
• Doesn't talk to other children
• Repeated physical complaints without medical cause (headaches, stomach aches, aching arm or legs)
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
• Change in appetite
• Change in sleep patterns

What Causes Depression in Children?

• Separation, divorce of parents or even close relatives,
• Death of a loved one; a person or a pet,
• Stressful life experiences,
• A negative way of viewing the world,
• Social skills deficit,
• Childhood depression is also associated with a family history of mood disorders and with the existence of other psychiatric conditions,
• If the relative has had childhood or recurrent depression, the child is at even higher risk of developing depression,
• A move from one town, or even one neighborhood, to another,
• Academic, sports or athletic failure, and
• Failure to live up to personal expectations.
  

Author: Teena Jain
Website: http://www.depression-guide.com/