Facts on Childhood Depression

I found this topic to be very interesting and able to affect anyone entering or currently in education at any age level. Until this year, I had not worked with a child that possibly could be depressed or diagnosed as depressed. I believe that most adults believe that this disorder affects only adults, affecting children and teenagers rarely. Depression is a medical condition that can affect all people including children as young as six or seven years old and in some cases even younger. Previously children that possibly could have been depressed were labeled as being shy, lazy, or disobedient. Children that are elementary age may feel empty and not enjoy the same activities that they once found fun. They may have stomachaches, headaches, aches, and pains. Depression is hard to see in your own child, a child in your class, or even a close family friend. It is hard to detect and even harder to diagnose. Children show different signs than adults do when affected by depression. Children are said to wear two different masks or faces. It is important to talk with both the child and the parent in regards to behavior and problems in the child’s life. The parents are helpful at describing the child’s behavior and the children are able to identify their moods. Sometimes, the issue at hand is not related to depression, but a family issue that has come up. Discussing with parents and keeping open communication with them is helpful and can only help promote better learning. In a school setting if you feel a student you are working with maybe suffering from depression please alert your school counselor, social worker or psychologist. The formal diagnosis of depression is done through interviews, checklists, and other methods by licensed professionals.

Here is a great website with more information http://www.familyaware.org/