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. Youngsters in hospitals and special education centers have higher rates of depression. The behavior of depressed children and teenagers differs from the behavior of depressed adults. A depressed child who used to play often with friends may start spending a lot of time alone. Things that were once fun may bring little joy to the depressed child, who may withdraw from previous activities.