Every parent's main wish is to make sure their children are happy and healthy; however, childhood depression is being seen now more than ever. And the number of depressed children continues to rise. What is even more shocking is that your own child may be depressed right now and you may not know. So if you are worried that one of your children may be dealing with feelings of depression, there are several options available to you and your child. But no matter what choice you make, the sooner you take action, the better the chance your son or daughter has for making a healthy recovery. Again, since the number of children experiencing feelings of depression is doing nothing but climbing, it is imperative the parents of depressed children actively manage their child's mental illness quickly and effectively.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The key to successfully treating childhood depression is recognizing the symptoms of this mental disorder. First of all, a child who is depressed will have experienced the symptoms listed below for a lengthy time period and these symptoms will have had a negative impact on their daily life. Of course, the manifestation of depression symptoms can come about in many ways, such is in your child's overall disposition, appearance, behavior, and state of mind. For instance, a young child who once enjoyed certain activities may have begun to shy away from them, without providing any good cause or justifiable reason. This in turn causes their world to become a great deal smaller and lonelier. There is also the physical symptoms to consider. A depressed child may have lost a significant amount of weight, drastically reduced the amount of food they eat, complaints of digestion issues, headaches or migraines, and trouble getting a healthy night of uninterrupted sleep.

Usually, young children who are depressed show their state of mind through their physical appearance as opposed to older children because younger children are not as capable of clearly expressing their thoughts and feelings as older children.

Seeking Treatment for the Depressed Child

It is important to become knowledgeable about the symptoms of and ways to treat depressed children in order to help your own child. A good way to start is by talking to a mental health professional who is experienced in treating depressed children. Most often they will request that you bring your child in for several diagnostic visits.

There are also ways to help your depressed child cope at home. You can start by keeping an open line of communication between you and your depressed child, so he or she does not feel that they have to face their problems alone. Of course, learn about what your child likes to do for fun and take an interest in it. And always give and advice and listen when the situation calls for it.

Childhood depression is a very real and commonly occurring problem in today's society, so it is important to take the signs of a depressed child seriously. By gaining a greater understanding of this mental condition, you can get a handle on your child's mental illness early on, increasing their chance for recovery.