Like adults, children may also experience depression. Children with problems like learning disorders, attention disorders or health problems are more likely to experience depression.
The obvious signs of depression to look out for are:
• Feelings of sadness accompanied by crying or tearfulness
• Decreased interest in normal activities
• Lack of interaction or communication
• Easily irritated or prone to anger
• Low energy level
• Lack of appetite
• Restlessness and has difficulty sleeping
• Self-destructive or unusually troubled behavior
• Has frequent complaints of being unwell such as a stomachache or a headache
• Poor performance in school
photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography
A cheerful child may suddenly become quieter and withdraw from his friends and keep more to himself. He may also express negative feelings or expressions like suicide. A well behave child may suddenly become rebellious and uncooperative.
Hence, parents need to constantly monitor their children to ensure any problems faced by them are solved immediately. There are so many reasons for a child to become depressed and it can also run in the family. Communication and interaction with the child may help to clear any worries that he has causing him to become troubled and unhappy. For severe cases of depression, medical treatment or professional help is necessary which may also include the use of antidepressant medication.