Childhood Depression - Essay Example

 Introduction Adults may experience mild stages of distress over time occasioned by loss including job losses, family or relationships break down. Depression also occurs in children; the diagnosis criterion is the presence of symptoms over a fortnight. The symptoms could include sadness, low enjoyment of previously enjoyable activities, and loss of appetite or feelings of low moods. Accompanying theses feelings is low self esteem, which can alter behavioral changes in an individual. In addition, this mental illness has detrimental effects on the body functions. Clinical depression can be classified into manic (bipolar), major depression and dysthymia. All of these types of clinical depression affect children at varying rates and severity (Lack & Green, 2009). Between 2- 6% of children and teenagers experience depression. Suicide, which may be caused by depression, is the third leading cause of death in individuals between 10-19 years old (Whittington et al, 2004). This paper delves into the often maligned issue of childhood depression, its causes and management. Childhood Depression Diagnosis of clinical depression in childhood is not a clear cut issues as it elicits several debates. Firstly, it is a relatively new phenomenon while there is no agreement on the legitimacy of its diagnosis. One view holds that definitions of major depression in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV) do not adequately distinguish between emotions in response to loss from emotions in depression (Clarke, 2011). Another view holds that children may outgrow depression. In addition, children may be diagnosed with other mental illnesses; thus, diagnosis of childhood depression is a difficult task. People get distressed at various stages of their life. Sadness may wane over time, however, and depression may persist over longer periods of time. For children, the experiences of depression may be difficult to detect. Most therapists, health workers and clinical psychologists assumed that children were immature to undergo depression. With time, health care practitioners and therapists recognized the presence and nature of the illness as an identifiable mental illness. The difficulty in diagnosing depression in children is harder since adults may assume that certain behaviors are normal or are simply development stages. Additionally, children may not be able to communicate their feelings. Children may exhibit irritability; thus, their actions may be misinterpreted as naughtiness. Depression occurs across all races, social classes, and economic settings. A proper diagnosis of depression is crucial since less than 30% of adults and children receive the appropriate treatment (Bhatia & Bhatia, 2007). Child hood depression can create social malfunctioning; this could be in academics and social relations with family members, teachers, care givers and fellow children. These effects may be accompanied by suicidal thoughts or drug abuse for older children. Teachers ought to monitor sudden changes in academic results; behavioral, social and emotional states, thereafter they should report their observations to school counselors and psychologists. A decrease in the energy levels of children over time and low interest in previously pleasurable activities could be a warning sign of depression. Causes Like in adults, depression is thought to occur through social or biological reasons; it can be caused by one or combination of factors. The surroundings of the child may trigger depression or minimize the likelihood of depression. Since children are dependent on their parents and care givers, these people ought to handle the treatment and management of childhood depression with care. The two most commonly cited causes of depression are genetics and environment (Clarke, 2011). The two can interact together or independently to influence depression. The treatment of child depression can be facilitated by parents upon discovery of the mentioned signs. Biological explanations of child depression can be triggered by social events involving loss. Another biological explanation of childhood depression is that an imbalance in neuro transmitters causes depression among adults, similarly in children it can lead to depression. This explanation is mainly supported by the success of antidepressants in the management of depression. Genetic factors determine depression; it can run in families increasing the likelihood of depression in children (Lack& Green, 2009). The psychoanalytic school of thought created by Sigmund Freud also explains the causes of depression. In his theory, Freud hypothesized that the mind was the genesis of mental illnesses including depression. This theory looks into the interaction between the conscious and unconscious mind. Anger and aggression in people due to loss of loved ones can cause depression. The effects of loss in childhood can trigger depression later in life. In the same token, the theory posits that low self esteem persists in individuals with depression (Lack & Green, 2009). Cognitive theorists put emphasis on the thought processes of individuals; mood swings in a person are associated with the belief system. According to cognitive theory, depression emanates from pessimism where individuals focus on the negative aspects of life. Negative thoughts and beliefs build up where people conceptualize stressful or traumatizing events as enduring. The theorists further say that pessimistic individuals learn to view life events negatively; with time other stressful events reinforce negativity leading to depression. A constant focus on past traumatic events plus low self esteem and worth occur (Lack & Green, 2009). With the help of therapists, children can express their inner feelings and thoughts; this is helpful in detecting unconscious thoughts and conflict affecting their actions. Another explanation of the occurrence of depression is that interpersonal behaviors, attitudes and beliefs affect the wellbeing of people. This could include the need for constant reassurance that other people love a person. A rejection by people would lead to negative thoughts while the sincerity of the reassurance may seem not genuine. The negative thoughts interact whereby depressed children seek constant reassurance of love from others, which may culminate in rejection or disaffection for the children (Lack & Green, 2009). Management and Treatment of Child Depression Depression in children is an under diagnosed illness that requires effective management. Children can exhibit disruptive behavior or self destruction tendencies. The treatment of depression cannot be overemphasized. Untreated depression can have devastating effects on the developmental life of a child; treatment of depression involves therapy and use of antidepressants. Following Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory, there is therapy treatment based on the theory. It involves a look into the past events, belief system and the emotional associations. The unconscious thoughts ought to be suppressed so that individuals can cope properly with change. The origins of depression are considered to be loss and anger, which have not been effectively dealt with or unintentionally acknowledged (Miles, 2011). A further development of psychotherapy is the psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on the idea that individuals can alter their behavior based on an understanding of the inner drives that cause depression. Patients could be attached to previous traumatic events but be unaware of them. Awareness of the previously unrecognized grief leads to a feeling of relief accompanied with a change in behavior. Children may not be able to express themselves in words; hence, therapists may communicate by use of pictorial depictions or through reading stories. To cognitive therapists, people’s thoughts on life events, their self identification, surrounding world and ability to explain tribulations impacts on their behavior and feelings. Therapy helps to pin point negative thoughts, and their root causes. Cognitive therapies can help children to look at past events differently in a new optimistic way (Mash & Barkley, 2006). Treatment of childhood depression also uses anti depressants to treat mild to severe depression; in this case, the therapists administers the therapy with the aim of regulating serotonin (Whittington et al, 2004). A lack of studies in the effects of other anti depressants makes serotonin reuptake inhibitors as the most viable option in children. Extra caution should be taken to avoid over use of these anti depressants, there are suggestion that the drugs may lead to suicidal tendencies particularly among teenagers (Lack & Green, 2009). Conclusion Childhood depression takes various forms with both biological and environmental factors contributing to the prevalence of this mental illness. A proper diagnosis of depression leads to better treatment and management of the disorder. The management of childhood depression is effective when one looks at both the biological and social causes of depression. Depression affects the life of children, parents and care givers. The sudden change in behavior and emotions following depression can be overwhelming to others, especially when it leads to disruptive behavior in schools and at home. In addition, depression may impair the development stages of children in social interactions and academic work. Care ought to be exercised in the management of childhood depression, in order to avoid misdiagnosis or suicidal thoughts brought about by anti depressants. References Bhatia, S.K. & Bhatia, S.C. (2007). Childhood and Adolescent Depression. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Jan 1; 75(1):73-80. Clarke, J.N. (2011).Childhood Depression and Mass Print Magazines in the USA and Canada: 1963-2008. Child & Family Social Work, 6 (1):52-60. Lack, C.W., & Green, A.L. (2009). Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 24(1):13-25. Mash, E.J., & Barley, R.A. (2006). Treatment of Childhood Disorders (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press. Miles, G. (2011). Childhood depression: A place for Psychotherapy. London: Karnac Books. Whittington et al., (2004). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors In Childhood Depression: Systematic Review Of Published Versus Unpublished Data. Lancet, 363(9418): 1341-1345. Read More