Identifying Depression in Children

Did you know that children as young as three get depressed? Were you aware that defiant or aggressive behavior disorders could signal depression in your child? It is not easy to identify this profound type of sadness in children so young, but there are signals that can help you recognize them so that you can get the professional help needed for her/him.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), clinical depression is listed as a mental illness that affects mood even in infants and small children. Although the majority of adults understand depression, that is simply not the case with children. Juanita Davis-King discusses the myriad factors inherent in childhood depression to help parents and/or childcare workers identify these symptoms for they get out of hand. Although, this book is not comprehensive, it does help those who care for and/or work with young children to recognize the signs of despair or major depression.

In addition, if you are a parent and suspect that your child is suffering from depression, but you aren’t sure, this introductory booklet is designed to help you figure it out. Rather than guess or misinterpret your child’s behavior, which is destructive to the child, learn some of the behaviors, causes and treatments for childhood depression.