Understanding Childhood Depression

Introduction

Bhatia and Bhatia (2007) reported that at any given time, up to 15 percent of children and adolescents experience some symptoms of depression. Of this 15 percent of children and adolescents, 5 percent of those aged nine to 17 meet or exceed the requirements for major depressive disorder. According to Bhatia and Bhatia, childhood depression affects growth and development, academic performance, and friend and family relationships, and it can be fatal. Bhatia and Bhatia further explained that children who suffer from depression run a two- to fourfold risk of depression persisting into adulthood. Bhatia and Bhatia attributed this intensified risk of persistent depression to the fact that more than 70 percent of children who suffer from depressive disorders do not receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Defining Childhood Depression

"The Harvard Mental Health Letter" (2002) posited that for a number of years, children who exhibited symptoms of what would be diagnosed as depression in adults struggled silently as they were labeled as shy, lazy, or disobedient. These symptoms of childhood depression were normally attributed to an adjustment disorder, attention deficit disorder, or conflicts with parents, teachers, siblings, and peers. "The Harvard Mental Health Letter" further explained that the symptom presentation of childhood depression is extensive and varied, making it a disorder that is not easily recognized. "The Harvard Mental Health Letter" described the following:

Depressed children may insist, heartbreakingly, that they are stupid and ugly, could never accomplish anything worthwhile, and will never be loved. . . . [However], a child who hits his baby sister, picks fights at school, or has frequent stomachaches or headaches may be as depressed as one who is obviously morose or withdrawn. And some typical symptoms of depression in adults . . . are much less common in children and adolescents. (p. 1)

Normal Sadness vs. Clinical Depression