University Report: Depression in Children - Causes and Symptoms

This report provides a comprehensive overview of depression in children, addressing its clinical definition as an inability to function competently. It highlights the alarming prevalence of depression among children, emphasizing the need for proactive intervention by teachers and parents. The report explores the differences between child and adult depression, including variations in symptoms and responses to treatment. It details assessment methods, including gathering historical information, conducting interviews, and performing physical and mental status examinations. The report also outlines the signs and symptoms of depression in children, such as irritability, social withdrawal, changes in sleep and appetite, and thoughts of suicide. The conclusion stresses the significance of early detection and support for children experiencing depression, advocating for communication and understanding from parents and teachers.

Running head: DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN
DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Depression in children.....................................................................................................................2
The difference in depression between children and adult...............................................................3
Assessment of children for depression............................................................................................3
Sign and symptoms in children related to depression.....................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
Reference.........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Depression in children is clinically referred to as to the inability to function with
competency. It is common at every age, and if left ignored, can cause a lethal consequence.
Therefore, the main aim of the report is to highlight the issue of depression in children to find the
best possible solution to face the alarming concern by the teachers and parents. The report
highlights the high rate of depression in children. Secondly, it states the difference in the
depression of children and adult, thirdly explains the way to assess the child for depression and
lastly it reflects the sign and symptoms that can be observed in the depressed child that needs
teacher and parents consideration.
Depression in children
Depression is regarded as the serious mental issue, which is known to be affected to any
age group of people. It can arise due to feeling of lack of interest, sadness and sense of
hopelessness and worthlessness. It is also reported that people who suffer from depression also
have feeling of suicide, irregular sleep and eating habits. Depression is becoming an alarming
issue in children. It is evident from the report that more than 60% of the children undergo
depression due to changes occurred in their life. The primary cause of depression in children can
be related to their personal life, family issue, genetic, environment, physical health and
biochemical disturbance. It is evident from the study of Siu (2016) the incidence of depression is
becoming high in the children. Children often undergo bullying in the school due to which they
tend to cut off their interaction with other people and suffers from depression. In the current
situation of a family issue, the effect is mainly bear by the children due to which they can also
have emotional and psychological changes during their growth. The issue of depression is taking

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high place in children, and there is a great need to look over their differences in their attitude and
behaviour. In today's generation, there is enormous burden of study in the children, and due to
high competition and failure to achieve the desired goal often lead to a psychological disorder in
young children. In children, the most common type of depression is linked with the disturbance
of mood, bipolar disorder or may have some medical issue like hypothyroidism (De Haan et al.,
2019).
The difference in depression between children and adult
The depression in children and adult have common sign and symptom, which goes on,
vary with age. It is reported that depression is a common mental issue, which accounts for 2.5%
in children and 8% in adult. The depression in children may result in loss of social, interpersonal
skill and cognitive skills (Blood et al., 2015). It is also related to social exclusion, poor family
relationship and poor school attendance. Such changes are also noticed adult; however, sense of
suicide is high among them. It is reported that depression in adult can result in social exclusion,
but children withdraw to some extent and continue to associate with their close friends (Hetrick
et al., 2016). Depressed adult often finds an issue with sleeping and may become insomnia;
children often find time to sleep. It is also reported that depression in children shows feeling of
sadness and emotions, whereas depressed adult shows their grief through anger and irritability.
The crucial difference between adult and children depression is their response towards
psychotherapy. Some of the drugs are proved to be ineffective in children like tricyclic anti-
depressants (Patel et al., 2019). Thus, it can be said depression in both adult and children can
have a common cause, but they can show different sign and response to treatment.

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Assessment of children for depression
The evaluation of depression in the children includes evaluation of their comorbid
conditions besides to the consideration of the developmental perspective and routine examination
of the mental status (Pile, Shammas & Smith, 2019).
The following step can be followed to assess the children for signs of depression:
1. There is a need to gather all the source of information about the history of children to
evaluate the cause of depression.
2. Interview can be taken where all the questions related to life can be asked.
3. Physical examination of the children can be taken to evaluate physical health. For
example, child can be assessed for malnutrition, thyroid swelling and any nutritional
deficiency. Such medical condition is related to depression.
4. Examination of mental status can be done to know about the cause of depression.
5. Differential diagnosis should be conducted to evaluate the organics cause, psychiatric
disorder, anxiety, conduct disorder and conversion disorder.
6. Check the record of school and education of the children.
7. Try to consult to the surrounding of the children.
Sign and symptoms in children related to depression
The sign and symptom that parents and teacher should notice in the children that need to
be evaluated for depression are as follows:
1. Irritability and anger
2. Social withdrawal

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3. Changes in sleep
4. High potential for rejection
5. Changes noticed in appetite
6. Crying or outburst (O’Connor et al., 2016).
7. Problem in concentrating on studies or any life activity
8. Reluctant to playing
9. Low energy
10. When children show sign for physical health issues like headaches and stomach pain.
11. Inactivity in daily life events
12. Feeling of guiltiness and worthlessness (Pennant et al., 2015).
13. Impaired thinking
14. Loss of interest in extracurricular activities.
15. Thoughts of suicide.
Conclusion
Lastly, from the above discussion, it can be said that depression in child is one of the
significant psychological issues that are affecting the growing children. It does not have any
specific cause, and they are known to be associated with the biological, environmental and
psychological factors. There is the great need to assess the child when the sign of depression is
noticed, and proper step needs to be taken to help the child. Parents and teacher can
communicate with the child about the issue and give them a suggestion that can help them to
overcome depression. Thus, such a child needs to be taken care with love and respect.

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Reference
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(2019). Dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions, posttraumatic stress, and depression in
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Hetrick, S. E., Cox, G. R., Witt, K. G., Bir, J. J., & Merry, S. N. (2016). Cognitive behavioural
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