Childhood Depression: What to Know

Childhood depression (also referred to as “pediatric depression”) has at times been thought of as “not real.” However, as difficult as it may be to discuss, childhood depression is exists, and in some cases has been known to affect children as young as three years of age.

Possible signs:

In children, depression tends to appear differently than it does in adults; many times kids will experience extreme fatigue, irritability and physical pains and aches. Other signs to look for include changes in their normal routine or behavior. For example, a child whose grades begin to drastically fall or a child who becomes disengaged with friends and teams or sleeps more than they usually do.

What you can do:

If you think you are noticing abnormal symptoms in a child close to you, pay attention to the duration of the symptoms- while sometimes kids (just like adults) may have a bad day, persistent tired, uninterested and reclusive behavior could signify that something is wrong. It’s also important to make sure the child has a current full body medical checkup to rule out other health conditions like diabetes, mononucleosis and anemia. If medical conditions are ruled out, seek effective treatment immediately from a mental or behavioral health specialist.

For more information about behavioral health services in the Carson Tahoe area, contact Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health Services at (775) 445-7350. Or for immediate attention, contact the 24-hour Crisis Line at (775) 885-8866.