Understanding Depression in Children

For nearly 50 years Hartgrove Hospital has worked to establish itself as a behavioral health and mental health center of excellence. Hartgrove Hospital treats a wide range of mental health and behavioral health issues in patients of all ages; including depression in children, adolescent and adults

Depression is considered the most common health concern in America, and children are affected with the same frequency as adults. About one in 33 children have lived with depression at some point in their lives, a figure that skyrockets to one in eight during teenage years. Understanding depression is always difficult for those who have never truly experienced it. This lack of understanding is often further complicated by the parent-child relationship; parents must understand that sadness, frustration, and brief periods of distress are common in children. Making the distinction between typical adolescent angst and a clinical depressive state can be difficult, but it generally involves identifying how long feelings of sadness last and what impact these emotions have on the child’s life. A depressive state that lasts longer than a few weeks is cause for concern; and if a child begins to withdraw from normal behavior and lose interest in hobbies, it is advisable to contact a medical professional. Children, just like adults, can suffer from several forms of the disease, including major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder.