Depression in children and teenagers can be very debilitating and can have a lifelong impact. Parents who suspect their child, even their youngster, might be depressed should seek help right away rather than simply hope their child will eventually “grow out of it.”
“Today, we are seeing the onset of depression at an earlier and earlier age, and the severity has increased,” says Dr. Lila Amirali, psychiatrist at The Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre. She encourages parents who suspect their child might be suffering from depression to have them assessed right away by a health professional at their local CLSC.
Dr. Amirali says about one in 100 youngsters (under the age of 13) and about four in 100 teenagers suffer from depression (compared to about 10 in 100 adults). Symptoms usually appear after the child has suffered a traumatic event such as parents’ divorce, death of a family member, or a break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. When there is a family history of depression, children are more vulnerable to developing this mood disorder.
Dr. Amirali admits that diagnosing depression in children is tricky. But when any of the behaviours listed below are present for more than two weeks, parents should take notice. If you suspect depression, the first step is to ask your child how he is feeling. If the response is “sad” or “hopeless”, make an appointment at your local CLSC.