Childhood Depression

The symptoms of childhood depression include persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, anger, hopelessness, sensitivity, guilt, and worthlessness. Children with this condition also display social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, increased fatigue, increased or decreased appetite and sleep, recurrent physical complaints like head ache and stomach ache which do not seem to respond to treatments, and difficulties in coping with routine such as attending school and social activities. Studies have shown that children may hide their depression by acting out or through aggressive behavior. Clinically, such symptoms should have been present for at least two weeks.