Child Depression: Information, Sign, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Help

Your daughter spends more time in her room than usual, with the door closed and the shades drawn. She sleeps a lot, and even the family dog can't make her smile anymore. She has stopped hanging out with her friends, and when you ask what's going on, she just mumbles.

Normal teen behavior? Not really. There's more here than meets the eye, something that's telling you things are not right.

It's possible that your child is depressed. In the United States, depression is the most common mental health disorder, affecting 17 million people of all age groups, races, and economic backgrounds each year. As many as one in every 33 children may have depression; in adolescents, that number may be as high as one in eight. If you suspect that your child is depressed, you'll want to learn more about what depression is, what causes it, and what you can do if your child is depressed.

Sign of depression in children

Sadness
Crying
Tearfulness
Hopelessness
No interest in activity Like Game, Eating Food etc.
Persistent boredom; low energy
Poor communication
Difficulty with relationships
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
Poor concentration
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior

Children who cause trouble at home or at school may also be suffering from depression. Because the youngster may not always seem sad, parents and teachers may not realize that troublesome behavior is a sign of depression.

What Causes Depression in child?

Depression usually isn't caused by one event or thing; it's the result of one or more factors, and its causes vary from child to child. Depression can be caused by lowered levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry signals through the nervous system) in the brain, which limits a person's ability to feel good. Depression can run in families, so a child who has a close relative with depression may be more likely to experience it herself.

Significant life events such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, a move to a new area, and even a breakup with a girlfriend or boyfriend can bring on symptoms of depression. Stress also can be a factor, and because the adolescent years can be a time of emotional and social turmoil, things that are difficult for anyone to handle can be devastating to a teen.

Also, chronic illness can lead to depression, as can the side effects of certain medicines or infections.

Diagnosing Depression

Depressed children have described themselves as feeling hopeless about everything or feeling that nothing is worth the effort. They honestly believe that they are "no good" and that they're helpless to do anything about it.

But for an accurate diagnosis of major depression to be made, a more detailed clinical evaluation must be done. A medical or mental health professional (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) must be sure that your child has had five or more of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks:

Recognizing Depression in Your Child

If you've discovered that more than a few of the symptoms of major depression or dysthymia apply to your child, you may have reason for concern.

Don't dismiss your concerns or think that the symptoms will go away by themselves - they probably won't, and they may get worse. And don't think that you're responsible for your child's depression - even if something you did (such as a divorce) triggered it, it's not your fault. It's nobody's fault.

Let your child know that you are there for her, whenever she needs you and wherever you may be. Remind your child of this over and over again - she may need to hear it a lot because she feels unworthy of love and attention. If your child shuts you out, don't walk away - remain there for her. Once your child begins to talk, let her talk about whatever she wants to talk about and don't criticize. The important thing is that she's talking and communicating her feelings. This will help your child begin to realize that her feelings and thoughts really do matter, that you truly care about her, and that you never stopped caring even when she became depressed.

If You Suspect a Problem

The good news is that there are professionals who can help your child. Depression can be successfully treated in more than 80% of the people who have it. But if it goes untreated, depression can be deadly. Depression is the number-one cause of suicide.

Depression is commonly treated with a combination of therapy and medicine. A psychiatrist can prescribe medicine, and although it may take a few tries to find the right one for your child, most children who follow the regimen eventually begin to feel better. Therapy focuses on the causes of the depression and works to help change negative thoughts and find ways to allow your child to feel better. Feeling is healing, and talking about feelings can be a powerful antidote for depression. A good therapist will communicate this to your child.

With proper treatment and your help, your child can lead a normal, happy, and fulfilling life.

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