Childhood Depression

4 Pages 924 Words

Childhood Depression


Childhood depression is a major issue in America. It is an issue that should not be taken lightly and any child that is experiencing symptoms of depression should be treated or helped in any way possible. Here are three articles that I read that gave me more information and insight on this childhood illness.
The diagnostic criteria and key defining features of major depressive disorders in children are the same as the are for adults. However, recognition and diagnosis of the disorders may be more difficult in youth for several reasons. The way that symptoms are expressed varies in youngsters. In addition, children and young adolescents with depression may have difficulty in properly identifying and describing their internal emotions or moods. For example, instead of communicating how bad they feel, they may act out and be irritable towards others, which may be interpreted simply as misbehavior or disobedience. Some signs that may be associated with depression in children include frequent vague, non-specified physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, or tiredness. Also, frequent absence from school or poor performance in school, talks of efforts to run away from home, outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability or crying, being bored, lack of interest in playing with friends, alcohol or substance abuse, social isolation, poor communication, fear of death, extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, increased irritability, anger, hostility, reckless behavior, and lastly, difficulty with relationships.
In this article that I read, depression relates to a child’s cognitive development. If a child is missing school or concentrating on other issues during class time, they won’t be able to develop intellectually. Also, their physical development can be effected if they are depressed and expressing reckless behavior or experimenting with drugs and or alcoho...