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Depression is a mental illness that causes people to feel sad, angry, hopeless or frustrated for long periods of time, resulting in impaired psychosocial functioning. Major depression affects about 2 percent of children aged 6 to 12 years and 4 percent of adolescents. An estimated 20 percent of all youths will experience at least one episode of major depression by the time they are adults, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Everybody has occasional periods in which they feel blue. Children are no exception to this rule. However, depression is a significant feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities which interferes with a child’s ability to enjoy life. Scientists realize that depression among children is actually quite common. Also, juvenile mood disorders tend to be more chronic than adult-onset mood disorders.

Some bouts of depression in children are severe but relatively short in duration. Others are mild, but may continue for years. Children may become depressed after a trauma such as the death of a parent, family strife or illness (e.g., cancer, diabetes). Children who are abused or neglected are also at greater risk for depression In some cases, children may become depressed despite the lack of an obvious event that might have triggered the change in mood.

A child may experience just one episode of depression or may have several that are broken up by periods of normal mood. An episode of depression typically lasts for six to nine months. Children who have a bout of depression are at increased risk of suffering another similar episode within five years. They also are five times more likely to have depression as an adult than children who do not have depression, according to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). In some cases, a child’s depression may go into remission before appearing again years later. In other cases, children may have more continuous depression that requires treatment into the adult years.

Children and adolescents with depression also frequently have or may develop other mental health disorders such as self-injury, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, learning disorders or substance abuse problems.

Children who suffer from depression may not always be able or willing to approach a parent or others about their condition. For this reason, parents must be vigilant in looking for signs that their child may be depressed. Parents are urged to ask about their child’s thoughts and feelings. In addition, parents can consult with a physician about whether or not the child’s emotions or behavior might indicate a problem.