Childhood Depression
Symptoms and Treatments of Childhood Depression
The symptoms of an episode of depression usually develop slowly over days or weeks, but sometimes can be triggered rapidly, precipitated by a severe event (family argument, the death of a loved one, separation from parents, failure in love, etc. .)
The duration of episodes of depression vary widely, but generally no treatment is that last about six months, but occasionally may persist for 2-3 years.
Children who have suffered an episode of depression may return to repeat it more often in the 2 years after the first episode. Even without a new episode of depression in full, it is not uncommon to have any of depressive symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis of this disease, currently, is largely based on the presence of the symptoms discussed. There are some interviews, questionnaires or psychological tests that can help make the diagnosis.
Have also been used, though still inconclusive, laboratory tests (determination of certain hormones that may appear altered in children with depression, such as growth hormone) and the realization of electroencephalogram during sleep (brain activity recorded during dream that has some characteristic abnormalities in depressed children). Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 
Tags: 
Introduction and Causes of Childhood Depression
What is it?
Depression is a mood disorder and feelings that are characterized by loss of interest and enjoyment of usual activities, changes in appetite and excess or deficiency, insomnia or excessive sleeping, nervousness or lack of wins, the feeling of uselessness and excessive guilt, decreased ability to think and concentrate on ideas repeated death.
This disease can occur at any age in childhood, although it is far more common and generally more serious in adolescence. About 3-5% of adolescents have symptoms of depression, being more common in girls.
What is the cause?
It is not known with certainty the cause of depression, although it is thought that may have a genetic (inherited).
It is much more common in children depression when there is a close relative, parent or sibling with the disease or other major disruption of feelings. It is believed that in these families is inherited from a minor operation of any substance in the brain that act as transmitters of signals (norepinephrine and serotonin). Read the rest of this entry »