"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a child or teen to feel sad or irritable for a long period of time. A young person who is depressed may not enjoy school, play, or friends and may have low energy and other symptoms. As with an adult, symptoms of depression range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. Depression can last for a long time and may come in cycles of feeling down and feeling normal. Chronic (ongoing) mild depression, called "

", occurs when a child feels a little down most of the time for a year or more. Both severe and mild forms of depression can be effectively treated. "

"It was once thought that only adults developed depression and that children and teens could not. We now know that even a young child can develop serious depression that needs treatment to improve. However, symptoms of depression in children and teens can be difficult to recognize. They range from boredom to stomach pain and may seem to be symptoms of something else. Many children and teens who are depressed do not get adequate treatment because their symptoms are not identified. Mood swings and other emotional changes caused by depression may be overlooked as unimportant or as a normal part of growing up."

"At one time it was a common belief that depression is "all in the mind" and that a depressed person should be able to snap out of it. We now know that depression is an illness that requires treatment?not a character flaw or weakness. Childhood and teen years can be especially difficult for children with depression and their family members, especially if it is not treated. Untreated major depression can last for a year and sometimes longer."

" Prolonged or severe depression can lead to problems making and keeping friends, difficulty in school, substance abuse, suicidal behaviour, and other problems that may carry into adulthood. If you think your child may be depressed, seek help from a health professional. "

" Depression can be triggered by stressful life events, such as a loss or a move, or by certain drugs or medications. Depression may also be genetic (inherited). Children with a family history of depression are much more likely to become depressed, especially if they have a parent who is currently depressed."

" Although the causes of depression are not entirely understood, we know it is linked to an imbalance of brain chemicals called "

"Symptoms of depression are different from the normal ups and downs of life that may cause your child to feel a little "blue" from time to time. Symptoms often go on for a long time and may change as depression gets worse. Often the first signs of depression are irritability, sadness, or boredom. Children or teens with depression may also have behaviour problems or problems in school."

"The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that your child might have depression. The main symptoms used to diagnose depression in children of any age are long-term irritability, sadness, and a loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed. Other symptoms include:"

" may lack energy and become withdrawn, show little emotion or seem to feel hopeless, and have problems sleeping."

" may feel constantly tired, irritable, sad, or guilty and complain of pain such as headaches or stomach pain. They may lose interest in friends and activities that they once enjoyed. In some cases, children with severe depression may lose touch with reality. They may hallucinate (see or hear things that don't exist) or have delusions (false beliefs). "

" may sleep a lot or move or speak more slowly than usual. Teens with severe depression may also hallucinate or have delusions."

"Symptoms of depression
... read the whole article