October is National Depression Awareness Month: 8 Facts on Pediatric Depression

 1) Depression isn ’t a weakness or a result of laziness. It’s real.Depression is a very real illness that affects the emotional, social, behavioral and physical health of children and adults. There are genetic and biological factors that predispose a child for depression, but life experiences also influence its development.2) It affects babies, children and adolescents.Pediatric depression is a significant health concern. Evidence suggests that up to 1% of babies, 4% of preschool aged children, 5% of school-aged children and 11% percent of adolescents meet the criteria for major depression.3) Depression will NOT go away on its own. A serious mental illness cannot be willed away or brushed aside with a change in attitude. Ignoring the problem doesn ’t give it the slip either. Depression is serious, but treatable illness, with a success rates upwards of 80% children who receive treatment.4) Good parents don ' t always detect if their child is depressed. Most children who suffer with depression keep their thoughts and feelings masked. The only way for parents to understand depression is to be aware of the age specific behaviors and symptoms. Depression is not a result of bad parenting.5) A depressed child is usually not a loner.It ’s important for parents to know that children often mask their depression. So a child can present as happy, social or untroubled on the outside, though internally she is struggling terribly with negative thoughts and despairing feelings....
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness campaigns books children depression parents Source Type: blogs