Depression in children are on the increase
According to www.onhealth.com, depression is a condition beyond normal sadness that can significantly interfere with the ability to function.
While clinical depression in adults and the elderly is relatively common, evidence shows that an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with depression.
Studies show that depression affects about 2 per cent of pre-school and school-age children, and in children it does not have one single cause, but rather a number of biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors that contribute to its development.
Peter Jordaan, principal officer of Fedhealth says that unfortunately depression in children is still often commonly overlooked, and often mistaken for normal developmental problems.
“Childhood depression is different from the normal everyday blues and the emotions that occur as the child grows and goes through the various developmental stages. If the child continues to show persistent mood or behavioral changes, parents should take note of these, and look out for the telltale signs or patterns in mood or behaviour that are commonly associated with depression,” he says.
Jordaan says that while recognition of childhood depression is growing, much of the attention and focus is on teenagers’ 15 years and above, because the risk of suicide is high in this age group. Far less attention is paid to the plight of children and early adolescents, although all the symptoms, including suicide, do occur in this age group too.
He adds that the difficulty in diagnosing childhood depression stems from the fact that not all children have all of the same symptoms, and most will display different symptoms at differing times and settings.
“Many parents also put off seeking the help of a mental healthcare professional, because of the social stigmas associated with mental illness. It is vital that parents make sure they are aware of the warning signals associated with depression, and then seek timely treatment to ensure that the child continues to grow physically and emotionally in a healthy way,” he adds.
As in adults, depression in children can be caused by any combination of factors that relate to physical health, life events, family history, environment, genetic vulnerability and biochemical disturbance.
“Treatment options for children with depression are similar to those for adults, including psychotherapy, counseling and medication. Severe depression is treatable, and the correct diagnosis and treatment can have a huge impact on the quality of life, irrespective of age,” concludes Jordaan.
