Depression is usually associated with adults. However, even children and adolescents can be affected by depression. Depression is not a momentary state of emotion, such as feeling down, blue or sad. It is a mood disorder where prolonged periods of sadness, worthlessness, low energy levels, poor academic performance or missing school are predominantly seen.

According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2010), “Depression among children and adolescents has been considered seriously since the last 2 decades.” It is found that 1 out of 10 children suffer from depression, and it is higher among older children around 9-12 yrs old (Michael G. Conner, 2001), and greater still among teenagers. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/depression-in-children-and-adolescents.shtml http://www.oregoncounseling.org/Handouts/DepressionChildren.htm

Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking antidepressants.

Causes for depression in children and adolescents can be because of genetics, biological, social and psychological.

Genetics- Not all children having a family history of depression suffer from depression. However, some children and adolescents may suffer from depression due to genetic reasons.

Biological- Depression can be caused by biological changes in the brain. When the neurotransmitters and biochemical agents in the brain are produced insufficiently or when the brain does not receive or transmit these neurotransmitters and biochemical agents appropriately, it can cause depression.

Social -Socially stressful events such as divorce or separation by parents, death of a loved one, physical illness, failure in sports or academics, continual conflicts in the family, repeated physical or verbal abuse, transition from one place to another like neighborhood, school and friends, etc.

Psychological- Low self-esteem, deficit in social skills, lack of self-confidence, etc.

Sometimes physical problems like obesity and psychological disorders, such as learning disabilities or eating disorders also cause depression.http://www.oregoncounseling.org/Handouts/DepressionChildren.htm

Disclaimer: If parents notice any of the following symptoms in their child or adolescent prevailing for more than 3-4 weeks, it is ideal to consult a pediatric counselor or a psychiatrist for further evaluation for possibility of depression.

Younger children find it difficult to express feelings of depression and hence their behaviors may include irritability, loss of appetite and lack of interest in play or activities, which they previously enjoyed.

School-aged children may express feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, helplessness, missing school, low-energy level, lack of socialization and psychosomatic pains, such as headaches, stomachache, arm or leg ache.

Older kids may miss school, eat and sleep more or less, lack interest in maintaining physique and personal appearance.

Teenagers express feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of running away from home, self-destructive behavior, etc.http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/common/641.html

Treatment for depression in children and adolescents includes individual therapy, family therapy and medications like anti-depressants. Individual therapy comprises of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). IPT aims at teaching children and adolescents problem solving and interpersonal techniques to handle problems, which could have risen due to their depression. CBT teaches about recognizing negative patterns of thinking and behaviors and changing them to realistic and positive-thinking behaviors.

Prescription of anti-depressants has been approved by FDA for children and adolescents under a warning label, due the fact that certain anti-depressants, such as fluoxetine, contribute to incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents as per a research finding.

However, most of the off-label drugs by FDA are consistently used in general clinical practice. In fact, the FDA has recommended the prescription of fluoxetine or Prozac for children 8 yrs and older, and Escitalopram or Lexapro for children who are 12 yrs and older. Research states that a combined treatment of anti-depressants, IPT and CBT results in better functioning and quality of life. http://parentsmedguide.org/parentsmedguide.htm