Depression in children
Depression is defined as a group of conditions associated with elevation or lowering of a person’s mood. Clinical depression is a mental disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities causing significant impairment in daily life.

Depression is not an adult-only illness. Children and adolescents can and do develop depression. Children, like adults, have times when they feel “blue” or sad. Emotional fluctuations are normal, but if those feelings last longer than two weeks, then their may be a sign of an effective disorder like depression. Children may go un-diagnosed and untreated because parents and caregivers may struggle to recognize the signs of the disorder. Childhood depression is a serious mental health issue but it is treatable.

Causes of depression
Childhood depression may be the result of a combination of factors. These risk factors alone may not account for the mood disorder, but they might play a role.

These risk factors increase a child’s chances for developing depression:

• Physical health: Children with chronic or severe medical conditions are more likely to be depressed. This includes obesity.
• Stressful events: Changes at home, at school, or with friends can increase a child’s risk for depressive symptoms
• Environment: A stress or trauma including conflict between the parents or the caregiver.
• Family history
• Biochemical imbalances: Uneven levels of certain hormones and chemicals may impact on how the brain works
• Sleep issues
• Low birth weight
• Negative thinking styles
• Lack of coping skills.

Children with depression often experience many of the same depression symptoms as adolescents and adults do. However, children may have hard time expressing themselves and these feelings because of their limited vocabulary.

Symptoms of childhood depression include:

• Loss of interest in activities a child once enjoyed
• Withdrawal
• Low motivation
• Crying
• Low self esteem
• Difficulty concentrating
• Various physical symptoms including abdominal pain, other pains without organic cause and which cannot be successfully treated
• New or worsening problems at school, with siblings or friends
• Giving things away
• Thought of suicide
• Use of alcohol or drugs, especially among teens

Children with depression may not experience all of these symptoms. Some may be more prominent than others.

Treatment
For mild to moderate depression, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the typical first line treatment of choice for children and teens. For children under 10, other modalities of psychotherapy such as play therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and behavior therapy may be utilized.

For moderate to severe depression, a combination of CBT and antidepressant medications. COMPLICATIONS

Childhood depression is a serious condition, but it’s treatable. However, if not treated children may experience consequences for many years to come. These complications may include:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Worsening symptoms
• Increased risk of developing depression that’s worse or prolonged
• Severe depressive episodes
• Other mood disorders.

Helping a Child with depression
Treatment for children with depression involves therapy and prescription medications. Some children may benefit from one of these- others may use a combination. These are not lifelong treatments. The doctor will prescribe a treatment plan and decide on when to complete it.

The treatment plan for childhood depression often depend on the severity of the symptoms. The good news is that the right care would get the child out of depression.

Facilitated by Dr.(Mrs) Aragbaiye Faozat, the Chief Executive Director of Health Solution and Gender Violence Centre.