Depression in Children and Adolescents.
One in every thirty children and one in every eight adolescents are victims of depression. Two thirds of these children do not receive the help they need. Depression can be acute or severe. Severe cases are known as major depression. I myself was diagnosed with depression at the age of eleven. .
There is a lot of controversy over the causes of depression. Some studies say that environment is the cause, such as exposure to negative events, lack of support, family conflict, neglect, death and abuse in early childhood. Other studies say that depression runs in the family. Which studies of separated twins and adopted children show evidence of this.
I think that the cause consists of both, when I myself come from a family with a long history of depression. Plus, I was also exposed to abuse, divorce, and loss.
Symptoms consist of many factors. Such as missed school and/or poor school performance, changes in sleeping and eating habits, withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in things once enjoyed, persistent sadness and hopelessness, problems with authority, lack of concentration or forgetfulness, poor self-esteem or guilt, overreaction to criticism, frequent physical complaints such as unexplained headaches, stomachaches, and soreness, anger and rage, lack of enthusiasm, low energy or motivation, drug and/or alcohol abuse, and thoughts of death and suicide. Adolescents show stronger symptoms of these plus others. Such as sleeping too much, weight loss or gain, difficulty thinking or making decisions, sometimes delusions, and many more.
Treatment consists of two main features: Medication and therapy. Medications frequently used and most effective are SSRI's, which include antidepressant like Prozac. Less common medications are MAOI's and tranquilizers. Therapy consists of seeing a psychiatrist and being diagnosed, followed by counseling and in major cases, hospitalization.
