By Scot Robinson

 Studies have shown that the onset of depression among children occurs earlier in life today than in past decades. Depression affects approximately 5% of children (age 12 and under), and the prevalence increases with age. Despite its increasing incidence and devastating effects on children and their families, depression among children remains under-diagnosed and under-treated.


Young children (2-5) usually manifest depression through physical symptoms. They may complain of headaches, stomach aches or nightmares. Often, they wet their beds. They may become unusually aggressive, hitting and biting others or throwing temper tantrums. Some may be quiet or unusually withdrawn. Depression is anger turned inward and this "inwardness" can take the form of passivity.

The death of a close relative, starting school, the birth of a sibling-are are some of the obvious reasons a child may feel insecure. However, if a child inexplicably starts clinging to you and expresses fears of separation, there may be something wrong.

The most common perceived factors for depression for children are internal pressure at home as well as external pressure from their school environment. Arguments among parents, domestic violence and jealousy among siblings are factors while they have to cope with stress and pressure externally when they are not doing well at school or encountering problems with bullies.

Depression symptoms in children differ on the basis of their age, sex and personality. A child of eleven will not experience the same symptoms as a fifteen year old teenager. If left unread and misunderstood they will persist and take longer to cure.

It is important that if you suspect your child or teen may be depressed to get help immediately. It is important to ask them questions and talk about how they may be feeling. Discuss the concept of chemical imbalance in the brain to them at their level. You can contact your local mental health agency for more detailed tips on helping your child cope with their depression. Your child's physician can also give you advice and resources. Counseling or psychotherapy may be required and even recommended.

Children are quite sensitive, and the level or risk of depression is quite high among them, especially when they experience a sudden loss or cannot learn or pay attention to a particular thing. The problem of depression in children and teenagers is often hereditary and affects children whose family has a long history of the problem. If you see a continuous withdrawal from normal daily activities of the child or even signs of sadness, boredom, or low self-esteem, you must immediately consult a doctor, as these are the symptoms of depression.

Chronic depression is very serious, and when depression in children occurs, it frequently goes unnoticed. In these cases it is up to you to decipher fact from fiction between depression and a time of just being plain sad.

It is possible that your child could be dealing with depression if they have a loss of appetite. Are your kids eating or are your children eating significantly less than is normal for them?

Another symptom of depression to look out for is if your child has been depressed, without reason, for two to four weeks without resolution.

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