Childhood Depression
Kids get depressed, just like adults do. Roughly 5% of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time. Although childhood depression may not occur quite as frequently as adolescent or adult depression, it’s still a serious disorder that needs to be addressed. Childhood depression is defined as an illness when extreme feelings of sadness become persistent and interfere with the child’s ability to function.
What Causes Childhood Depression?
As with depression that develops later in life, childhood depression is probably isn’t caused by one specific factor. Rather, it usually develops in response to a number of conditions that come together at the same time. There are certain risk factors that may predispose one child to develop depression over another child. A family history of depression or mental illness is a strong risk factor for childhood depression. Childhood abuse, chronic illness, or the loss of a close loved one (such as a parent or sibling) could all potentially lead to depression. Childhood depression could also be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain which interferes with the body’s natural ability to regulate emotions and moods.
Recognizing the Signs of Childhood Depression
Childhood depression can be difficult to diagnose because children often find it difficult to express their emotions. In many cases, children do not yet fully understand the complex emotions they are feeling. They may simply appear quiet and aloof, when in fact they are truly depressed. Common symptoms of childhood depression include frequent sadness and crying, hopelessness, loss of interest in toys and daily activities, persistent boredom, low energy levels, extreme changes in sleeping patterns, appetite changes, withdrawal from social situations, low self-esteem, strong feelings of guilt, hypersensitivity to rejection, irritability, anger, frequent headaches or stomachaches, poor concentration, self-destructive behavior, and talk of running away from home.
Children and adolescents who are seen as “troublemakers” may actually be suffering from depression. Acting out in a rebellious manner may be an attempt to mask feelings of despair and sadness. They may not always exhibit sadness, but when asked directly, they may state that they are in fact unhappy.
Treating Childhood Depression
Unlike depression in adults, childhood depression is rarely treated with medication, as most doctors are reluctant to medicate minds that are still developing. Therapy is the method of treatment most often used to help children who suffer from depression. It can be used to help kids understand and resolve their problems, and to make positive changes in their lives. There are several types of therapy that can be used to treat childhood depression.
The choice of therapy may be based on the personality of the child, the severity of the symptoms, or the cause of the depression. Here’s a look at a few therapy methods frequently used to treat childhood depression.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used to help improve a child’s mood and behavior. With this type of therapy, the child can learn to understand the cause of their depression and better ways to cope with their feelings.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
This particular therapy is especially useful for older children and teens which may be experiencing suicidal feelings or thoughts. Dialectical behavioral therapy helps tham learn to take responsibility for their problems and work out better ways to resolve their dilemmas.
Family Therapy
Family therapy helps the child recover from depression by helping the family to interact in more positive and constructive ways. Family therapy session can involve the child as well as parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and other family members in the child’s immediate support group.
Group Therapy
Group therapy allows children to connect with a group of peers in an effort to improve their social skills and increase their understanding of their symptoms. This type of therapy is helpful for children who feel isolated or alone, or who have difficulty interacting with other children due to their symptoms
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a very useful method of treating depression in children. It involves the use of toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings and games to help the child identify and communicate their feelings in a non-threatening manner. The therapist can observe the child’s behavior during play to identify patterns of negative feelings or emotions. The therapist can then use the same play toys to help the child learn better ways to manage their feelings and behavior.
Drama Therapy
Children love to use their imaginations, and drama therapy capitalizes on this skill by helping children “act out” their feelings and emotions thereby learning better ways to cope with their problems. Drama therapy can also be a useful tool for helping children to understand the source of their depression.
Childhood Depression and Related Disorders
Childhood depression often occurs in conjunction with other mental illnesses and conditions. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, eating disorders, and disorders that involve self-mutilation are commonly associated with childhood depression.