Not only adults become depressed. Children and teenagers also may have depression.
Depression is defined as an illness when it persists.
Significant depression probably exists in about 5 percent of children and adolescents in the general population. Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning or conduct disorders are at a higher risk for depression. The behavior of depressed children and teenagers differs from the behavior of depressed adults. A child who used to play often with friends may now spend most of the time alone and without interests. Things that were once fun now bring little joy to the depressed child.