Kids and Depression

If you pay close attention to the early signs, could you help your child avoid depression both now and in the future? Research says this could indeed be the case: that screening children for symptoms of depression can start as early as the second grade.

Kids at risk for depression were more likely to report having fewer friends, and feeling lonelier and more anxious than their peers. Some key gender differences: Behavior and attention problems were strong predictors in boys, while anxiety appeared to be more predictive in girls.

While everyone, including children, may feel sad or depressed once in a while, it doesn’t mean they will go on to develop depression. This research was done to help parents and teachers learn ways of identifying when there is something more than just normal growing pains brewing….emphasizing that kids themselves remain our best resource in finding out how they are feeling and if they need our help.