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Children often feel low and tearful for many reasons and their moods can be quite volatile. Mood changes are generally accepted as part and parcel of growing up. This means that parents may be less likely to consider that a child or adolescent could have a depressive illness. It is thought that 2-4% of children may be affected by depression. This becomes more common after puberty. Up to the age of eight, children with depression may appear irritable and difficult. In later years, their symptoms will be more like those of adults.
In is not unusual for children who have depression to have other psychiatric problems or a physical illness.
What marks depression apart from run of the mill moodiness is that the child will have mood disturbance most of the time for many weeks. Behaviour to look out for in your child includes:
Becoming socially withdrawn
Being constantly uncooperative
Lacking interest in things that they used to find enjoyable
Aches and pains
Constant tiredness and difficulty sleeping
Appetite change
A black and pessimistic mood
No interest in doing homework
Talk about wanting to die
Boys in particular may find it difficult to express their feelings. Their low mood may lead them into fights or trouble at school. In many ways, it is a vicious circle with bad mood and irritability repelling family and friends, which makes the child feel even worse.
Depression is more common in girls after puberty.
Both children and adults who get depressed may have had bad life experiences early in life. In children, difficult childhood experiences, such as child abuse or the death of a parent, can increase the risk of depression in later life. There may also be genetic factors.
Recurrence of depression is common, particularly when the depression has occurred very early in life. One-third of young people who have depression will go on to develop bipolar disorder later in life.
If you suspect that your child has depression, visit your GP to discuss the problem. Where appropriate you will be referred to specialist child psychiatry or counselling services. Often children may be more likely to open up to a trained health professional than their own parents.
There are various treatment alternatives. Counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and other psychological therapy may be effective. Some antidepressants may be suitable for children with serious depression but this is a matter for discussion with the doctor, who will prescribe according to the most recent guidelines.
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