Impact of Depression in Children and Adolescents

According to Son and Kirchner (2000), depression frequently goes unrecognized in children and adolescents. However, Bhatia (2019) is categorical that depression in childhood and teen years appears to have been in an upward trend in recent times. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2018), it is not uncommon for children to have worries and fears. If these fears and worries are not addressed, they could result in depression. If depression in children and adolescents goes unaddressed, the impact could be severe. Indeed, according to Clark, Jansen, and Cloy (2012), depression could in this case have a negative impact on not only the emotional, but also the social and physical development of children and adolescents suffering from the same. Rey and Birmaher (2012) point out that depression in this age group could impact the ability to form and nurture social relationships. This is more so the case given that a depressed child is likely to withdraw from all engagements of a social nature. Next, depression in children and teens could also result in reckless behavior and risk-taking tendencies (Lee, 2005). This happens as the affected child or teen attempts to divorce their minds from the situations they perceive as being responsible for their troubles.
Third, past research has also indicated that there is indeed a correlation between depression in childhood and/or during teen years and substance abuse. Indeed, “several longitudinal epidemiological studies have indicated that adolescent drug use may develop in response to various forms of psychological distress” (Koplewicz and Klass, 2016, p. 141). Next, it is also important to note that depression in childhood and during teenage years could negatively impact academic performance. This happens as a consequence of the child/adolescent’s inability to focus on class work. Poor academic performance could trigger failure later on in life. Lastly, depression in the age bracket under consideration could trigger suicidal thoughts (Capuzzi and Golden, 2013). Suicidal thoughts could in this case be as a consequence of the feeling of isolation and/or hopelessness that comes with depression.
On the basis of the effects of depression identified above, it is clear that there is need for early intervention. To be able to effectively address depression in children and adolescents, it is often necessary to be aware of the presenting symptoms of depression in these cases. It is, however, important to note that in the words of Mehler-Wex and Kolch (2008), “symptoms in this age group are different from those of depression in adults” (152). Symptoms of depression in children and teens, according to CDC (2020) include, but they are not limited to, loss of interest in activities, self-destructive and injurious behavior, difficulty in remaining focused or paying attention, changes in sleep patterns, changes in eating patterns, indications of hopelessness, etc. In as far as treatment is concerned, pharmacological interventions could be embraced alongside physiological interventions.
References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2018). Depression in Children and Teens. Retrieved from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Depressed-Child-004.aspx
Bhatia, R. (2019). Childhood Depression. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/childhood-depression
Capuzzi, D. & Golden, L. (2013). Preventing Adolescent Suicide. New York, NY: Routledge.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (2020). Anxiety and Depression in Children. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html
Clark, M.S., Jansen, K.L. & Cloy, A. (2012). Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Depression. Am Fam Physician, 86(5), 442-448.
Koplewicz, H.S. & Klass, E. (Eds.). (2016). Depression in Children and Adolescents. New York, NY: Routledge.
Lee, S.W. (Ed.). (2005). Encyclopedia of School Psychology. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Mehler-Wex, C. & Kolch, M. (2008). Depression in Children and Adolescents. Dtsch Arztebl Int., 105(9), 149-155.
Rey, J.M. & Birmaher, B. (2012). Treating Child and Adolescent Depression. New York, NY: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Son, S.E. & Kirchner, J.T. (2000). Depression in Children and Adolescents. Am Fam Physician, 62(10), 2297-2308.