Chilhood Depression

Depression, also known as unipolar mood disorder, for instance, is a common mental illness characterized by sadness, loss of interest in activities, decreased energy and recurring feelings of despair. The intensity and frequency of the symptoms differentiate the illness from normal mood swings. Depression is already the fourth cause of the global disease burden, and by 2020 it is expected to rank second following ischemic heart disease (UN Chronicle).   Depression is one of the leading causes of teen suicides. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, in January of 2008, youths that attempt suicide usually have more than one mental health problem, often try to commit suicide more than once, and may have a family member who has attempted or committed suicide. Studies had shown that more than 90% of teens who try to take their life have a mental health problem such as depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, or severe behavioral or substance abuse problems. There are many different factors that can cause adolescents and children to fall into this kind of behavior. According to The Hindu, February of 2010, and the School Health Journal, August of 2009, some of these factors are pressure to perform well and failure in examinations, lack of family support system, family breakdown, over competitive education, alcoholism of a parent, financial problems, and sexual abuse along with other factors are reason to drive children to chronic depression.
                            Signs of depression can vary from child to child. In the School Health Journal, August of 2009, it states that some signs of depression are, being moody or stubborn and easily upset, becoming withdrawn and avoiding friends and activities, not enjoying things as much as usual, avoiding school, feeling unhappy, tiredness and lack of energy or attention, and also changes in apatite and weight. Along with the signs of depression there are also the symptoms that the child or adolescent feels...