Child Depression is For Real: How to Assist Your Child

There was a time when the idea of depression in children was a gray area. They were thought to have an undeveloped cognitive and emotional structure that made them incapable of experiencing depression. In fact, it was something not taught in school, says WebMD Child and Adolescent psychiatrist Dr. David Fassler. He says, “It’s relatively recent that we are recognizing depression in children.”

These days, a growing body of studies supports that depression spares no one; even young toddlers can experience depression. If your child is showing signs of depression, it may be wise to look closer.

Depression in Children: The Statistics

“In the United States, the prevalence of major depressive disorder is approximately 1 percent of preschoolers, 2 percent of school-aged children and 5 to 8 percent of adolescents,” say Sung E. Son, M.D., and Jeffrey T. Kirchner, D.O., authors of Depression in Children and Adolescents (American Family Physician, 2000). These figures suggest a growing susceptibility to depression as children grow older. Further, according to Psych Central, one out of four children will have depression by the time they get to high school, “with the average age of onset being 14 years.”

These statistics are not intended to scare you. Rather, they are a reminder that depression is real. You know your child better than anyone, if you are concerned it’s worth exploring.

Symptoms of Depression in Children

Childhood depression has symptoms similar to those of adult depression, though they may manifest differently, depending on a variety of factors. Symptoms can include sad mood, decreased energy, lack of interest in socializing or in things they used to enjoy. Irritability is a symptom of depression as well that may be expressed by children as acting out. 

Children have a limited ability to verbalize emotions, possibly leading them to feel helpless, lost, or confused. They may express their depression through crying, anger, moodiness, not wanting to eat or overeating, not sleeping or wanting to stay in bed all the time and/or loss of enthusiasm for hobbies and interests.

A child’s inability to fully express feelings and thoughts can make it more difficult for you to decide if these are normal behaviors or legitimate symptoms of depression. Your knowledge of your child may put you in the best position to decide if they need to be screened for depression.

How to Help Your Child

While it can be distressing for any parent to know that their child could be experiencing depression, find comfort in the fact that childhood depression is treatable. An experienced therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville West Office, can work with you and your child to beat depression.

Depression is powerful but you aren’t powerless. Take the first step: call Carolina Counseling Services for your first appointment.

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