More recently, however, the coach became alarmed because Lisa's interest and enthusiasm for the sport was waning. She frequently missed practices and was late for a game. The coach also noticed she had lost some weight and was moody. Other girls have lots of friends and things to do, but I don't really have even one good, close friend. Lisa and Daniel both exhibit signs of depression and contradict the popular concept that children have a joyful, carefree life.
Research indicates that children, like adults, experience depression in varying intensity.
According to Dr. Michael Sorter, a psychiatrist at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, approximately five percent of adolescents experience depression. Like adults who are depressed, children need loving support from others in order to manage and overcome feelings of depression. Specific events and family history are predictors of depression in children. A child who is depressed is more likely to have parents or other close relatives who have suffered from depression. Other factors which can trigger depression in a child include parental separation or divorce.