Children suffering from depression may have the hallmark symptoms of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness, but may also show other symptoms. Depressed children, are often irritable, impossible to please, and moody, swinging from great sadness to sudden anger. There are two basic types of depression: major depression, which lasts at least two weeks;
and the milder but chronic dysthymic disorder, which can last for a year or more and seems to characterize the child's temperament or personality. Children with the most serious depression exhibit symptoms in the following categories: depressed or irritable mood; difficulty concentrating; irritability and anger; fatigue; feelings of worthlessness; sleep problems; appetite problems; social withdrawal; restlessness or slowing down; decreased interest or pleasure in activities; thoughts of death. Youngsters sometimes feel that suicide is the only way to stop the pain. Parents should take seriously any talk about suicide or death and immediately consult a mental health professional.
Cause: Depression is most likely due to an inherited predisposition to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Treatment: Getting help is vitally important. Depression is treated in a number of ways, and, in fact, it is one of the most easily and successfully treated mental illnesses. Effective treatments include medication and cognitive behavior therapy either alone or in combination
