Adolescence Is A Period Often Considered As "Difficult" Is It?
...Before that time, children that exhibited signs that are now recognized as depression were thought to be behavioural problems that the child would grow out of. Psychiatrists believed that children were too emotionally and cognitively immature to suffer from true depression. Childhood was thought to be a carefree, happy time, void of worry and concerns and therefore it was thought that their problems were not serious enough to merit depression. Traumas such as divorce, incest and abuse were not clearly understood how they could affect children in the long range. Childhood depression differs in many aspects from adult depression and widely went unrecognized academic performance, withdrawal and rejection of friends and favourite activities. Some exhibit hyperactivity, while others complain of exhaustion and illness. Many times these symptoms are thought to be just a phase' in their children, and observed as signs of depression.
Children of all ages from infancy through adolescence can suffer from a disorder mood. The symptoms change, with the child's level of development.
Depression in infants is often expressed as a failure to thrive, grow physically and act unresponsively. It is rarely seen in babies, but it is often a disturbance between the relationship of the infant and the caregiver. Post partum depression, which affects 25-30% of mothers, can in turn affect the mood of the infant. A broken bond, separation, illness or death can contribute.
Depressed mothers talk, cuddle and show less affection. Babies are sometimes rejected because they are unwanted, premature or abnormal.
Preschoolers are more aggressive, self isolating, restless, overwhelmed by sleeplessness and nightmares and are less adaptive to follow rules or make friends when depressed.
Older, school-age children may avoid school, feel misdirected guilt and express their depression by...
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