05 Feb 10 Increasing Numbers of Children And Adolescents Suffer From Clinical Depression

Depression among children and adolescents has been on the rise for some time, but has only been taken seriously in the last twenty to thirty years. While it is normal for young people to experience mood swings or sad days, clinically depressed youths may represent as much as five percent of the population. Improved diagnostic techniques and parental awareness have helped to expose this problem, opening the doors for more children to receive psychiatric treatment of childhood depression.

As it has been found that depression tends to more frequently occur in certain families, it is likely that genetic factors contribute to the biochemical causes of this illness. However, no single cause has been found. When a child or teen with a predisposition for depression is exposed to certain environmental and social factors, they may exhibit symptoms of this illness early on.

Modern culture features a greater number of psychosocial influences than in preceding eras. While some will argue that there are no more negative influences in the present than have been in evidence in the past, that does not change the fact that today's youth are subject to an endless barrage of information through the Internet and other media. This certainly has a bewildering effect on many. Most experts agree that low self-esteem is a large part of the problem, occurring regularly within the symptoms of childhood depression. If a child or teen views himself or herself negatively, this imparts a pessimistic worldview enhanced by negativity in reporting of current events in the media.

In an economic climate with significant unemployment, there is an impact on the children and teens in affected households. The stressors of having one or both parents not working will only compound the child's lowered self-esteem and accompanying pessimism. The lack of discretionary income will filter down to children and impinge on their ability to pursue activities with their peers, along with a whole set of social problems. If the economics of the family situation extend to losing the family home, the blow to the children's view of themselves and their place in the world can be enormous. The uncertainty and displacement they experience are factors that will come into play for any child that has a tendency toward depression.

Growing up can be a challenge, even in the best of situations. Peer pressures and expectations of parents can combine to create a great deal of stress on children and teenagers, affecting their sense of self. Adding economic and social issues on top of these relatively normal problems can increase the likelihood of mental health issues, which means it is likely that rates of these illnesses will continue to rise. Thankfully, as awareness increases, early diagnosis has become more common, and treatment of mental health problems in childhood as well as support for families of affected kids has expanded. These improvements will help kids and teens overcome the symptoms of childhood depression, and assist them in gaining the opportunity to succeed in their academic and social lives, as well as their future lives as adults.

In Las Vegas, if you believe that your child may be suffering from depression, contact Dr. Ron Zedek, a nationally recognized psychiatrist with over 12 years experience in treating childhood depression, anxiety and other issues. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services

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