Depression is a common psychological disorder which affects children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Feelings of worthlessness, sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, irritability and guilt as well as a range of physical symptoms manifest within the depressed individual.
Depression in children is a particularly concerning issue due to the fact that it often goes undetected. According to Beyond Blue, one in five individuals will experience depression by the time they get to adulthood (http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=7.246) but many will not receive the psychological attention they need. Part of the reason for this is that the causes and symptomatology of depression can greatly differ in children and in adults. Depressive children are more likely to be irritable rather than sad and withdrawn (Sokolova, 2003). Another reason why depression in children often goes undetected or misdiagnosed is that children may not be able or willing to discuss their problems. Therefore the manner in which children are screened for depression is imperiment to correct diagnosis and effective treatment.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14 year olds (Sokolova 2003).
What are the symptoms of depression in children?
Children:
- May lack interest in activities that they previously enjoyed
- Continually criticise themselves
- Are pessimistic about their future
- Lack energy
- May have trouble sleeping
- Display physical symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches
What causes depression in children?
In the years up to puberty, depression may be linked to family difficulties, birth of a sibling, or an impact on the child's social ties such as a move to a new house or school (http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/depression/inchildren/index.cfm).
A community survey of Australian children found that 3.7% of boys and 2.1% of girls aged 6-12 years had experienced a depressive episode in the previous 12 months. The average duration of a depressive episode in young people is about nine months, with a 70% probability of relapse within five years. Evidence shows continuity between childhood depression and depression experienced in adulthood, with the phenomenology becoming more "adult-like" as the child progresses through adolescence.3 Depression in children usually arises from a combination of genetic vulnerability, suboptimal early developmental experiences, and exposure to stress. But depressive syndromes sometimes occur as sequelae to physical illness such as viral infection and may overlap with fatigue syndromes (Hazell, 2002).
Taken from: Hazell, P. (2002). Depression in children and adolescents. British Medical Journal, 325, 229-231.
For full text, please click on the following (might need to register for free) - http://ebmh.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/6/4/103.
Screening for Depression in Children
“Selection of a screening measure…is the first and most important step in the process of managing depression (Timbremont, et al., 2004)’’.
Several screening measures have been designed to detect depression in children. Although these screening measures do not give a diagnosis of depression, they provide an indication of the severity of symptoms and may indicate to the clinician whether there is a need for the use of more in-depth diagnostic tools.
Children's depression inventory as an effective screening measure of depression in children:
The results from logistic regression indicated that the CDI total score is predictive of a depressive disorder. The CDI also differentiated a depressive disorder from an anxiety disorder and a disruptive behaviour disorder. Those results provide support for the usefulness of the CDI as a screening tool for detecting depressive disorders in children and adolescents.
Taken from: Timbremont, B., Braet, C., & Dreesen, L. (2004). Assessing depression in youth: Relation between the Children's Depression Inventory and a structured interview. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 33(1), 149-157.
