What causes depression in children?

Depression is a complex emotional disturbance and an exact cause has yet to be determined. Researchers have narrowed down possibilities to conclude that genetic factors, particular personality types, and environmental stresses may be responsible for depression and chemical imbalance.

Chemical Imbalance

Research into childhood depression indicates that children and adults who show symptoms of depression may have a chemical imbalance associated with neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephinre, dopamine and GABA. Though the exact causes of chemical imbalance are not known, the factors mentioned below may play a large role in how our bodies produce, absorb and release neurochemicals, minerals and amino acids that may affect the way we feel.
Read more about chemical imbalance

Genetic Factors

Depression often runs in families. This has led researchers to believe there may be a genetic link. Sometimes, depression can occur in generation after generation of a particular family. At other times, however, there appears to be no genetic link. Researchers conclude that while you are more likely to develop depression if your mom, dad, or other close family member has the disorder, signs of depression may appear in instances where it has not presented in any other family member. One possibility, though not genetic, suggests that a lack of proper coping techniques passed down from parents to children may be a reason that depression, once started, is difficult to reverse.

Personality Types

Scientists believe that there may be a link between depression and people with negative personality types. People who have low self-esteem, a negative attitude, and an overall pessimistic view of life may be more likely to exhibit signs of depression. Depression is also more likely to occur in people who are easily overwhelmed by stress. Certain childhood experiences can form a person’s outlook on life (for example, a child who grows up in an abusive home may have difficulty trusting or seeing the world positively).

Learning proper coping techniques to deal with feelings of depression may be successful in treating negative personality types.
Learn how cognitive behavior therapy can help

Environmental Stresses

While researchers do not see a direct link between negative things happening in one’s life and depression, certain environmental stresses may trigger the disorder. The death of a loved one, moving, your parents’ divorce, or failing a class or being held back can elicit depression. Positive stresses such as a first day at a new school or accepting a leadership role can also lead to depression. As mentioned earlier, the way in which a person deals with stress may greatly affect his or her chances for developing depression.