Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the mind and body. It is an illness, in the same way that diabetes, heart disease and cancer are illnesses. Depression is an illness that one in five people will suffer during their lifetime, the leading cause of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other additions.

  About Depression
  Types of Depression
  Depression and Medical Illness
  Depression and Men
  Depression and Women
  Depression and College Students
  Depression and Children/Adolescents
  iFact or Fiction Quiz
  Resources to Learn More
 
DISCLAIMER
The materials listed in this section are designed to assist you in finding out more about depression. However, they should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, counseling or other health-related services. We are not able to monitor this web site for crisis messages or make referrals.

 

Depression and Children/Adolescents

Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken very seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel misunderstood.

Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary "phase" or is suffering from depression. Sometimes the parents become worried about how the child's behavior has changed, or a teacher mentions that "your child doesn't seem to be himself." In such a case, if a visit to the child's pediatrician rules out physical symptoms, the doctor will probably suggest that the child be evaluated, preferably by a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children.

To find out more about depression and children, visit:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/depchildmenu.cfm