Children are not exempt from depression. In fact, childhood depression is diagnosed in 1% of children between the age of 1-6 years old, and in 12% of children between the ages of 9-12 years old. Childhood depression is similar to adult depression in many ways. As for adults, the causes of childhood depression have not been specifically determined. In fact, what causes one individual to become depressed might not be applicable to another. Whether childhood depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, personality predisposition, family history, genetic makeup or life stressors, the effects can potentially be as devastating for children as for adults. Children exhibit their depression symptoms through warning signs that are their own. Since children have a difficult time expressing their emotions they usually resort to changes in behaviour to try to communicate their feelings. Similarly as adults, childhood depression is treatable and it should not be ignored.
Childhood depression is similar to adult depression in many ways. As for adults, the causes of childhood depression have not been specifically determined. In fact, what causes one individual to become depressed might not be applicable to another. Also, similarly to men, children exhibit their depression symptoms through warning signs that are their own. While they do experience sadness, feelings of inadequacy, helplessness etc., they exteriorize them indirectly. Since children won’t come out and specifically say what they are feeling, it is the responsibility of the adults in the child’s life to be alert to the child’s behaviour and emotional state.
Causes of Childhood Depression:
Like in adults, there is no specific cause for childhood depression. Depression in a child may be a response to a chemical imbalance, genetic predisposition, family history, environment (psychosocial) or stressful, difficult life events. Or sometimes it seems to happen out of the blue. The possible causes are plenty and varied, but research suggests that certain life events or personality traits have a correlation with the incidence of depression in children:
- Family conflicts
- Divorce, separation
- Death of someone close
- Relocation
- School, athletic, social difficulties
- Physical impairment, illness
- Perceived failure
- Physical, mental, sexual abuse
- Family disorganization
- Negativity
- Learned helplessness (learned behaviour, usually from close relatives)
- Loss of resources (family, friends)
- Limited problem solving skills
Childhood Depression Symptoms:
The common symptoms associated with depression (for adults and children) include but are not limited to:
- Sadness
- Feeling of helplessness
- Felling of worthlessness
- Feeling of guilt
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Significant weight change
- Significant change in appetite
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lack of energy
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impatience
These symptoms are the same for adults as for children. The biggest difference is that children do not know how to properly express their emotions. In fact, you cannot expect a child to come out and communicate his/her exact state of mind. Recognition of the signs of childhood depression depends on a child’s developmental stage and his/her capacity of identifying the problem and emotional state of mind. In many cases children don’t realize that there is something wrong with them. Furthermore, they often feel like no one can understand them and that no one has the same problems they do. Therefore, when children struggle with depression they will likely exteriorize the symptoms differently than adults.
Here are some additional signs to look out for:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of being rejected, sensitive to rejection
- Acting out: screaming, shouting, complaining
- Crying easily
- Social isolation
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Talking of running away (or running away)
- Absence from school or poor school performance
- Lack of interest in activities, friends
- Difficulty with relationships
- Anxious, worried
- Tendency to panic easily
- Fear of death
- Communicates less than usual
- Negative thoughts towards him/herself or the world in general
- Seems or talks about being bored often
- Restlessness/agitation
- Fidgeting/ pacing
- Insecure or dependant
- Complains of vague physical pains
- Weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- overwhelmed by social, school or family pressures
- Seems unhappy
- Feels guilty
- Worried
- Angry
- Feels lonely
- Headaches
- Lack of energy, tiredness
- Low self-esteem
- Self-dislike
Often times, children do not communicate their problems or moods with ease; it is important to look out for these warning signs. Children often mask their emotions by adopting a behaviour that can be misinterpreted as rebellion, disobedience or misbehaviour. It is normal for a child to feel sad form time to time, and to experience some of these symptoms. These symptoms become problematic and indicate depression when the child experiences at least (5) of these symptoms for a period of time exceeding 2 weeks. Furthermore, children with depression are not exempt from thoughts or attempt of suicide. If a child talks about hurting himself or about suicide, he/she must be taken seriously and seek treatment immediately.
Childhood Depression Treatments:
Depression in children may surface at a very early age. Childhood depression statistics reveal that about 1% of children between the age of 1-6 years old suffer from depression. The percentage increases with age. In fact, 12% of children between the age of 9 and 12 years old are diagnosed with depression. Although the number of children with depression is lower than that of adults, children with depression are more likely to be diagnosed with Dysthymia; A type of depression where the symptoms are less severe but chronic and last for an extended period of time (over 2 years). If you suspect a child is depressed you can try to talk to them without trivializing their problems. A common mistake adults do, is to look at a child’s problem through adult eyes. What can seem like nothing to an adult can mean the world to a child. If the child has difficulties expressing themselves, try to help him/her by giving them examples of possible feelings they might be having. You can also talk to the child’s teachers and coaches to assess his/her emotional state when they are not at home. Inform yourself on the possibility of seeing a school counsellor or a psychologist that is specialized in children. Like adults, once a child is diagnosed with depression, the most common treatments involve counselling and/or medication.