Depression in Children

Child depression

is as common as

adult depression

. Children can have problems too and often do. Pier pressure and just everyday growing pains can affect a child. Many times it goes undiagnosed because they will not talk about their problems and the adults do not detect that there is a problem with the child. Some of the problems in a child's life that could trigger depression is suicide, mental illness in the family, physical, sexual, or mental abuse, chronic illness, or the loss of a parent, divorce, or abandonment. Some believe a child's depression is caused from the chemical imbalance in the child's brain because some show signs of depression before any of the other causes appear in their lives.

Each child who show signs of depression is different and the cause of their depression may be totally different than other children. The most important thing is to recognize there is a problem and seek help for the child. Some of the symptoms of depression in children are: sadness and irritability, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, change in appetite (either eating too much or too little), sleep disorder (cannot sleep or sleeping too much), trouble concentrating or making decisions, rage or anger, headaches, stomach aches, or other physical pains that have no cause, changes in activity interest (either becomes more lethargic or hyperactive), has thoughts of suicide or death. Any change in the child's normal routine in activities or interests, lack of energy, or anything out of the ordinary, should be checked out. There is help for children as well as adults with depression and the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the sooner the patient will be on the road to recovery and back to their normal lifestyle. The ones who are suffering from depression do not have to live a life of suffering and making it hard on themselves as well as those around them.

There are many children who are bipolar which means they have highs and lows both, not just the depressive lows. The symptoms for bipolar is rapid mood swings, hyperactivity, temper tantrums or rages, exaggerated ideas about themselves or their abilities. Bipolar is often mis- diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). A wrong diagnosis can mean the wrong treatment or medications. It is important that the doctor knows everything about the symptoms that a child may be experiencing. There are no real tests for children that will diagnose depression so it is important to get the diagnosis right the first time. With the right questions and answers the doctor can know what the problem is and give the proper treatment or medication necessary. Bipolar in a child has to be ruled out before medications for depression is prescribed because the medications can cause mania