Can Children Be Depressed?

It wasn't until 20 years ago that people considered depression in children as a serious issue. The prevailing opinion then was that children were too young to understand or feel self-negating emotions.

A new Canadian study shows that 15 percent of preschoolers have atypically high levels of depression and anxiety. The study also finds that these children are more likely to have mothers with a history of depression.

Almost 1800 children and their mothers took part in this 5 year investigation which showed that a baby's difficult temperament at 5 months was the most important indicator of anxiety and depression in children followed by lifetime maternal depression as the next most important indicator.

Preschoolers with depression are also likely to be depressed in childhood. 2.5% of children and 8.3 % of adolescents in the United States suffer from Depression.

While boys under the age of 10 seem to experience depression more often, girls seem to have a greater incidence of depression by age 16.

The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the past decade.

In Canada, 1 in 20 children and adolescents go through Depression before the age of 19.

Despite these given statistics, research suggests that depression is treatable, especially if it is diagnosed early.