In today’s world, all of us are familiar with the term depression, perhaps too much of it. But it would be wrong to determine that this is only an adult state of mind. In fact it can occur with any one be it an adult or a child.

When an individual is depressed, he experiences a feeling of hopelessness, becomes sad, and lacks self-worth. Sometimes these feelings are so strong that they come in the way of the individual’s daily activities and the normal life. The children and not an exception and in today’s stressed lifestyle they too can become sad or disgruntled or in other words depressed.

Depression at the early age is a common phenomenon in the present days. At least half of the patients suffering from depression marks that they suffer from the traits even before the age of 20 years. Depression in children are more obvious with those suffering from prolonged illness, or have been abused, or those coming from broken homes

Since depression in children is so common nowadays, a child who has once suffered from it should be guarded against it in future.

Causes of Depression In Children

The exact causes of depression in children cannot be fully detected, though case studies point towards certain common causes as follows:

Socio-psychological

Death of a parent

Issues with biological development

School related problems

Abandonment or rejection

Neglect

Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse later in life

Divorce or the end of a serious relationship

Financial difficultie

Ongoing major health problems

Gambling addiction

Eating disorders

Grief over the death of a near one

Unemployment

Loss of religious faith

Rape

Trauma

Sexual difficulties

Academic -related stress

Physiological

Genetic predisposition

Neurological depressions

Medical conditions (illnesses like cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, mononucleosis, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, Parkinson disease, Multiple Sclerosis or by traumatic blunt force injury may contribute to depression)

Poor diet

Disturbed sleep

Depression In Children Symptoms

Depression in children can be really hard to detect, but there are certain symptoms that can give the traits away, like:

unhappiness

headaches

stomach aches

tiredness

lethargy

disturbed sleep

oversleeping

deteriorating in school performances

major changes in weight

irritable attitude

sulking

becoming withdrawn and introvert

losing interest in hobbies

loss of appetite or overeating

having poor self-esteem

contemplating suicide

All patients do not show the same symptoms, but more or less they are the same. But before considering these as a sign of danger, it should be studied for at least two weeks. A child may be unhappy due to a trivial reason; that would be a normal phenomenon and not thought as depression.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of depression in children is very difficult as most of the time it is brushed off as common childhood moods and whims. Still if not detected properly, these can lead to fatal consequences like suicide. The common symptoms along with certain overlapping features help in diagnosis of depression in children, like anxiety, agitation, and hypomania.

Types of Depression In Children

Major depression

Depression with melancholic features

Depression with atypical features

Depression with psychotic features

Minor Depression

Dysthymia

Bipolar disorder

Postnatal depression or postpartum depression

Recurrent brief depression (RBD)

Depression In Children Treatment

Since depression can be either due to sociological, psychological, or physiological causes, the treatment of depression in children also differ from one child to another according to its cause. Therefore the treatment also differs largely. Still, if a child shows the symptoms of depression, even a mild one, the following measures are to be taken:

Consult your general physician

Consult a psychological counselor

Talking therapies

Psychotherapy

Electroconvulsive therapy

Self help

Life style changes

Vagus nerve stimulation

Drug therapy

Light therapy

Acupuncture

Hypnotherapy

Exercise

Meditation

Deep brain stimulation

Self-medication

Herbal and dietary supplements

Self medication

Treatment of Depression In Children

Do not neglect the causes of depression in children. Take proper note of it and try to eliminate them. There are many online help resources for children. Some of the places rendering help in case of depression in children are

  Royal College of Psychiatrists

Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation

Young Minds