| Depression in children is different from the normal | | | | * Repeated physical complaints without medical cause |
| "blues" and usual emotions that happens as a child | | | | (headaches, stomach aches) |
| develops. Just because a child seems depressed or | | | | * Significant change in appetite (not due to |
| sad does not necessarily mean they have childhood | | | | appropriate dieting) |
| depression. But if these symptoms become ongoing, | | | | * Change in sleep patterns |
| disruptive, and interfere with daily social activities, | | | | There are also some serious and critical symptoms |
| their schoolwork and their home life, it may indicate | | | | associated with depression in children. Medical |
| that he or she has a medical illness called depression. | | | | intervention is imperative if a child displays any of |
| Keep in mind that while depression in children is a | | | | these symptoms. |
| serious illness, it is also treatable. | | | | * Suicidal thoughts, feelings or self-harming behavior |
| Because they are often passed off as normal | | | | * Abuse or prolonged use of alcohol or other drugs |
| growing pains, the emotional and psychological | | | | As difficult as it may be to accept, studies show that |
| changes that occur for a child who is depressed are | | | | children as young as 6 years old use street drugs. |
| often left undiagnosed and therefore untreated. The | | | | The use of drugs and alcohol among children is |
| symptoms in children are very similar to the | | | | known to create depression. Drugs can cause mood |
| symptoms for an adult in that they will display | | | | swings, but on the other hand, someone with |
| sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood | | | | depression or mania may use drugs to take away |
| changes. | | | | the pain of uncontrollable mood changes. |
| Some of the symptoms and behaviors linked with | | | | Determining if drugs or alcohol plays a part in a child's |
| depression in children include: | | | | depression often requires some expert detective |
| * Irritability, crying, feeling sad, helpless or hopeless | | | | work. Parents need to be objective and discover if |
| * Continuous feelings of worthlessness | | | | indeed that is part of the situation and be prepared |
| * Loss of interest or pleasure in social activities | | | | to delve into all possibilities. |
| * Fatigue and loss of energy nearly every day | | | | The correct diagnosis of depression is complicated |
| * Fearful, tense, anxious | | | | and a mental health practitioner should be consulted. |
| * Repeated rejection by other children | | | | Working with your doctor you can come to a |
| * A drop in school performance | | | | consensus as to the proper treatment for the child. |
| * Inability to sit still, fidgeting or pacing, difficulty | | | | Depression in children is treatable. Noticing any unusual |
| concentrating | | | | symptoms is the first step. Getting help is the second |
| * Repeated vocal outbursts, shouting or complaining | | | | one. |
| * Doesn't interact with other children | | | | |