Childhood Depression
Can Children Really Suffer From Depression?
Yes. Childhood depression is different from the normal "blues" and everyday emotions that occur as a child develops. Just because a child seems sad does not necessarily mean he or she has significant depression. If the sadness becomes persistent or interferes with normal social activities, interests, schoolwork, or family life, it may indicate that he or she has a depressive illness. Keep in mind that while depression is a serious illness, it is also a treatable one.
The Need for Mental Health Services in the Pediatric Health Home •
Almost 20% of children in the United States suffer from some form of a mental illness - only 20% of these children receive treatment. •
Thirteen percent of youth ages 8-15 live with mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment in their day-to-day lives, and this figure jumps to 21% for teenage youth ages 13-18. •
Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14; three-quarters by age 24. •
Five percent of children and adolescents suffer from complex illnesses requiring long-term treatment. •
The average delay between onset of symptoms and biopsychosocial intervention for children is between 8 and 10 years - critical developmental years in the life of a child.
How Can I Tell if My Child is Depressed?
The symptoms of depression in children vary. It is often undiagnosed and untreated because they are passed off as normal emotional and psychological changes. Early medical studies focused on "masked" depression, where a child's depressed mood was evidenced by acting out as angry behavior. While this does occur, particularly in younger children, many children display sadness or low mood similar to adults who are depressed. The primary symptoms of depression revolve around sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes.