Today most parents are concerned about health and welfare of their children. This can be natural normal concern. However some parents worry about varies thins like, how is their child developing?  How is the emotional well-being of their child? Most parents compare their children with other children and against prevalent social norms. If they feel their child is in any way different in they may seek help. At first parents discuss their concern with a family member or friend, then a family physician or a school counceller. If they problems are progressive, serious, and persistent or are a hurdle in development, they need to ask for help.

The depressed child

Not only adults, children and teenagers also can get depressed. World over there is rise in adolescence depressed up to 20 percent adolescence can be depressed. Parents must be aware of signs in their children such as persistence sadness, lack of enjoyment in favorite activities, increased activity or irritability, persistence physical complaint like headaches and stomachaches, frequent absence from school, poor academic performance, persistence boredom, low energy poor concentration, eating or sleeping pattern changes and spending more time alone. Depressed children may talk of ending their lives or abuse alcohol and drugs to feel better. Stressful life events like failure, love failure parental separation, physical or sexual abuse can precipitate depression. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Depression in child and adolescents needs psychiatric help. The treatment is in the form of medication and therapy.