| Depression: Overview | 19.0000000000000 | Depression: Overview | Depression: Overview | D | English | Psychiatry | Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | NA | Brain | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2016-07-15T04:00:00Z | | Marijana Jovanovic, MD, FRCPC;Daphne Korczak MD, MSc, FRCPC (Paediatrics), FRCPC (Psychiatry);Irfan Mian, MD, FRCPC, DABPN | | | | 9.50000000000000 | 53.4000000000000 | 692.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how depression is different from sadness. Also learn about what causes depression, how common it is in children and teens, and what you can do to help your child.</p> | <h2>What is depression?</h2><p>Depression is an illness that involves a person feeling deep sadness or a lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.</p><p>Every child and teen experiences sadness at some point in their life. Often this is a result of common stressors such as a big change, disappointment or the loss of a loved one.</p><p>Depression differs from this type of sadness because it:</p><ul><li>lasts longer (from weeks to months)</li><li>interferes with everyday functioning.</li></ul><p>Depression also affects a person’s <a href="/Article?contentid=645&language=English">sleep</a>, concentration and appetite and can also lead to feelings of guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness and, in severe cases, <a href="/Article?contentid=291&language=English">suicide</a>.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Sadness in response to big changes or losses can be normal, but it can be a sign of depression if it lasts for weeks to months and begins to interfere with everyday activities.</li>
<li>Depression has a number of risk factors, including a person's genetics, the way they respond to stress and their family or school environment.</li>
<li>See your doctor if your child is no longer attending school or extra-curricular activities. Go to the nearest emergency department if your child is expressing thoughts of suicide with a plan.</li>
<li>Depression can occur with a number of other disorders, most frequently anxiety disorders.</li>
</ul>
| | | <h2>What causes depression?</h2><p>A number of risk factors contribute to depression.</p><h3>Biological factors</h3><p>Biological factors include our genes, as depression is more likely when there is a history of it in the family. After puberty, it is also more common in girls than boys.</p><h3>Psychological factors</h3><p>Psychological factors include how a person tends to respond to stress. Someone who experiences more negative emotions in response to a stressor is more likely to experience depression.</p><h3>Social factors</h3><p>Social factors include various stressors in a child’s or teen’s environment, such as the loss of a parent or caregiver, divorce, bullying, poverty, difficulties at school and abuse or neglect.</p><h2>How common is depression in children and teens?</h2><p>Currently, about 2 per cent of children and 8 per cent of teens in Canada experience depression.</p><p>Previous research suggested that people often experienced their first episode of depression in their mid-20s. However, more recent research suggests that most adults with depression actually experience their first symptoms of depression as children and teens.</p><h2>Does depression occur with other conditions?</h2><p>Depression commonly occurs with other conditions, especially
<a href="/Article?contentid=270&language=English">anxiety disorders</a>. It can also occur with:</p><ul><li><a href="/Article?contentid=285&language=English">obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)</a></li><li><a href="/Article?contentid=1927&language=English">post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</a></li><li><a href="/Article?contentid=1922&language=English">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)</a></li><li>eating disorders such as <a href="/Article?contentid=268&language=English">anorexia</a>, <a href="/Article?contentid=282&language=English">bulimia</a> or <a href="/Article?contentid=277&language=English">binge eating disorder</a></li><li>substance use disorders</li><li><a href="/Article?contentid=1925&language=English">oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder</a></li><li>learning disorders</li></ul> | | | | | <h2>How to help your child if they seem depressed</h2>
<ul>
<li>First, <a href="/Article?contentid=293&language=English">talk to your child about their feelings</a> and any stressors that might be contributing. Be sure to listen and offer support.</li>
<li>Reassure your child and help them figure out how to deal with any stressors.</li>
<li>Encourage your child to return to the activities they previously enjoyed, and allow them to choose which ones to start with.</li>
<li>If your child has missed school, encourage them to return and address any possible stressors, such as bullying.</li>
<li>When your child shows they are making an effort to take part, reward them with praise.</li>
</ul>
| | <h2>When to see a doctor for your child’s depression</h2><p>See a doctor if:</p><ul><li>your child’s low mood or irritability prevents them from going to school, spending time with friends, playing sports, pursuing hobbies or doing other everyday activities</li><li>your child expresses thoughts of
<a href="/Article?contentid=289&language=English">self-harm</a> or
<a href="/Article?contentid=291&language=English">suicide</a></li><li>you have (or suspect you have) depression or another mental health condition and it is preventing you from offering enough help to your child on your own<br></li></ul><p>Your doctor can diagnose depression, if appropriate, based on
<a href="/Article?contentid=284&language=English">typical signs and symptoms</a>.</p><p>If your child has voiced thoughts of suicide with a plan,
<a href="/Article?contentid=292&language=English">protect your child</a> by going with them to your nearest emergency department.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on depression, please see the following pages:</p><p><a href="/Article?contentid=284&language=English">Depression: Signs and symptoms</a></p><p><a href="/Article?contentid=707&language=English">Depression: Treatment with medications</a></p><p><a href="/Article?contentid=708&language=English">Depression: Treatment with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes</a></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/depression_overview.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/depression_overview.jpg | | | | | | | Depression: Overview | | False | | | | | |
