Depression in children.

Some studies show that between a 2% and a 5% of children in scholar age are depressed.

Dr. Eduardo Hernández, a Pediatrician and Psychotherapeutic in Children Behavior, defines childhood depression as “an affective state of sadness increased in intensity and duration that occurs in a child. There is talk of major depression, when symptoms are older than 2 weeks, and dysthymic disorder, when these symptoms pass in a month”. According to this doctor, the origins of childhood depression can be:

• Behavioral (through lack of reinforcements
• Cognitive (the existence of negative judgments, lack of control
• Psychodynamic (relating to loss of self-esteem)
• Biological (neuroendocrine system dysfunction, decreased serotonin, by inheritance)

The online magazine Guíainfantil.com advices to be alert to the presence of the following behavior in children:

• Being continually sad, crying more easily
• Loses interest in favorite games and school
• Is away from friends and family
• Has poor communication
• Becomes bored and tired easily
• Has less energy or concentration
• Is cranky or too sensitive to minor frustrations, temper tantrum riding easier.
• Is extremely sensitive to rejection and failure
• Expresses low self-depreciating themselves
• Choose "sad end" to their stories
• Behave in an aggressive manner
• Constantly complains of pains such as headaches or stomachaches
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eats too much or too little
• Undergoes a regression, talking like a baby, or bedwetting
• Talking about suicide
• Talks about running away from home

Some studies show that between a 2% and a 5% of children in scholar age are depressed. This can cause a decline in school performance of children, so it is important that parents and teachers pay attention to their behavior.

By Patricia Rivero.