Depression

Depression
• is said by the federal Center for Mental Health Services to present in
about one in every 33 children. That figure would mean that just about
every classroom of children would have one child that was clinically
depressed.
 Depression
• Depression can lead to low achievement, social isolation, and problems
getting along with friends and family.
The child may have serious depression if more than one
of these following behaviors last more than two weeks:

• The child appears or says that he or she feels hopeless.

• The child withdraws from friends and usually enjoyed activities. The child doesn't
want to do anything or cannot get anything done.
• The child complains about being tired or doesn't have usual energy.
• The child's eating and sleeping patterns change.
• The child may be "moody" with increased irritability, agitation, anger, or hostility.
The child may have serious depression if more than one
of these following behaviors last more than two weeks:

• The child may complain of headaches or stomachaches. The child may not be
able to concentrate. The child may have feelings of worthlessness or problems
with feeling guilty.
• The child may take rejection or failure unduly hard. The child may draw or paint
dark pictures.
• The child may engage in play that has aggressive themes directed toward
themselves or others.
• The child may talk or think about suicide, death, or other self-destructive
behavior. Long term depression can result in very poor self-concept.
 Depression is treatable

• Play therapy has been found in eight (8) of nine (9) studies to be show
significant improvement.
• Play therapy is one form of support therapy that has been used to treat
depression.