Children And Depression
I don’t remember a time when I haven’t been depressed. I wasn’t diagnosed with major depression (then called clinical depression) until my late teens, but I believe I was born depressed. There is controversy whether or not children get depression in the same way adults do and if children are misdiagnosed with major depression or bipolar disorder. But now there are some studes from both sides of the Pond about children and depression.
It Starts At School
A British study that lasted 40 years concludes that children with behavioral problems at school grow up into (surprise, suprise) adults with behaviorial problems and problems in just about all areas in their life, including depression. The study looked at 3,500 kids-now-adults. They were first observed between the ages of 13 - 15. They were then interviewed about 40 years later.
The study theorized that the most important factor in determining if a child is going to grow up a troubled adult is if they have behavioral problems at school. They say this is more important than genetics, home life or social class.
What To Do?
One way to help a child deal with depression or other problems is to not criticize them all of the time. Giving some praise and encouragement can help, even in the apocalyptic battleground that is school. This is according to a study conducted by the University of Missouri. They study followed 474 first graders for six years. The study hints that one of the reasons kids do poorly in school and act up is because they hate themselves. Giving them some encouragement can help them not hate themselves so much.
Personally, I think we should just get rid of school altogether. We don’t give schools enough money to try and do a decent job, so why bother? Let the kids run wild for a couple of years and maybe then schools will repopen with the funding they so desperately need.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am
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