What Are the Causes of Depression in Children?

There is usually a combination of reasons for depression in children. It's normal for children to be sad on occasion; children with depression have more than the average rainy-day blues. There has not been as much research conducted on childhood depression as there has with adult depression; however, there are theories about the causes.

Genetics

• If a child has family members who have suffered from a mood disorder such as major depression or bipolar disorder, the child has a higher chance of being depressed than a child without any genetic predisposition. This does not mean that you will automatically be depressed if you have a parent or sibling with depression. Studies have shown that genetics play a role in mood disorders due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. This chemical imbalance is associated with lower levels of neurotransmitters.

Psychosocial Stressors

• Childhood can be difficult. Some children have a hard time expressing their feelings, are bullied in school, or have parents who are constantly fighting at home. Children whose parents are going through a tough divorce, experience trauma, or lose a close family member are more likely to suffer from depression because they are dealing with intense psychosocial stressors. If a child has a genetic predisposition for depression and experiences some of these negative psychosocial stressors, she may become depressed.

Physical Issues

• Children who suffer from major medical issues such as diabetes are more likely to develop depression. This is due to missing out on "normal" childhood activities, being an outcast among peers, having to go to frequent doctor appointments, feeling sick on a regular basis, and missing more school than other children. Missing school could result in lower grades, leading to low self-esteem.

Personality Traits

• Some people are more apt to look at situations negatively instead of seeing the positive aspects. People who are more negative tend to suffer from depression more often than people who look for the positive things in a circumstance and try to solve problems. For example, children who look for solutions when they have a problem instead of feeling helpless and giving up are less likely to suffer from depression.

  Children who are depressed often feel hopeless and can't see their situation getting any better. They might feel that they'll never be happy and can't imagine a point where they will be successful.

Treatment

• If you feel like your child suffers from depression or has a lot of the above risk factors, you should seek the advice of a licensed mental health professional. Some children only need short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy and some require long-term therapy. The treatment is dependent on the individual child.

  You can also ask your child's guidance counselor if teachers have reported depressive symptoms. Your child's guidance counselor should be able to refer you to therapists who specialize in working with depressed children.