Life Span Development II School Age and Adolescence

Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)

Lesson 11 : Emotional Hazards during late childhood

Childhood Depression

Childhood depression is a serious mental health problem. About 1 in 6 children experience a depressive disorder at some time during childhood (National Institute of Mental Health, 2000). Among young children, roughly equal number of boys and girls are classified as depressed. By the end of late childhood, however, girls outnumber boys 2 to 1.

Characteristics/Symptoms of childhood depression

Childhood depressive disorders are the conditions in which children display persistent negative moods and lack of pleasure in life. To be identified as clinically depressed, a child must exhibit four of the following eight symptoms on an almost daily basis

The child in this picture suffers from depression. Notice the sad and blank look on his face. Significant weight loss or weight gain Insomnia (inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (oversleeping) Motor agitation or retardation Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt Impairment in thinking or concentrating Reoccurring thoughts of suicide

Factors for Childhood Depression:

Childhood depression is a serious problem and is produced by a variety of factors. The causes of depression can be grouped into three categories relating to biology, temperament and social relationships.

1. Genetic and biological factors: Several studies revealed that there is a genetic component to depression. Depressive symptoms are more common in children who have a history of depression in the family. Neurochemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine have powerful effects on emotional states in adults and adolescents and are implicated in some types of childhood depression.




Fig: Factors of Childhood Depression

2. Temperament: Children who are quiet and avoidant, slow to adapt to new situations and prone to negative moods are likely to become depressed if they are stressed. Children with difficult temperaments also are prone to feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem.

3. Family and social factors: Children who are depressed often live in circumstances where they are undervalued or rejected. Parents who are emotionally unavailable to their children and those who are critical and rejecting put their children at risk for depression. Children who are suffering abuse also are at risk for depression. Children who have poor social skills and difficulty establishing meaningful relationships with others are prone to depression. It also is associated with stressful life events, such as the loss of a parent.

Treatments for Childhood Depression:

Treatment of childhood depression takes many forms, depending on the specific symptoms, the age of the child and the cause of the depression. Reducing stressors that affect children can relieve their depression. Ex: Children who are depressed because of repeated failure at school may benefit from individualized instruction, tutoring, positive feedback, activities that promote peer acceptance and self-esteem, and counseling.

Antidepressant medications generally are used only for seriously depressed children and are only modestly effective. Many of these drugs have negative side effects such as nausea, dizziness, headache, and insomnia. Suicidal thinking and behavior could be observed in children and adolescents those who are being treated with these medications. Hence, children’s use of antidepressants should be closely monitored by doctors and caregivers.