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Links Section
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Child Depression |
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Child Depression
Did you know that 1 in 33 children suffers from depression? It was once believed that children could not suffer from depression, but this is obviously a myth. This is a serious health problem that is characterized by persistent sadness, irritability, and the loss of interest in nearly all activities that once brought happiness. Although child depression often escapes diagnosis, it can be treated. |
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| Risk Factors
There are several risk factors associated with child depression. Children under stress, ones that have experienced a loss, children that find social situations difficult, and those children with a family history of depression are at risk. Children with attention, learning, or conduct disorders, children that have an unhappy home life, and children with real or imagined fears of failure are also at risk. |
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Signs
Fatigue or loss of energy
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Persistent sadness and hopelessness
Low energy and chronic fatigue
Increased irritability and agitation
Frequent physical complaints
Withdrawal from friends and activities once enjoyed
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Poor performance in school
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
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Treatments
Early and rapid
treatment
Ongoing evaluation and monitoring
Trying to change the child's outlook towards the future
Helping the child gain a better understanding of the past
Helping the child to alleviate unjustified feelings of guilt |
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Child depression is a serious illness that can be detrimental to not only the mind but also the body. Children suffering from this are at an increased risk for suicidal behavior, so the key is to catch it early so that it can be treated. |
