[MUSIC] Childhood depression is a reality, the statistics prove it. The latest national survey of mental health in the United States shows it. It showed that 13% of children and adolescents suffer from depression. These statistics have been confirmed throughout the world. Especially in the last year, where childhood depression has increased. Most studies have shown that children and adolescents can get depressed from an early age. And they can even stay like that until adolescence. Despite this reality, There are many myths and false beliefs surrounding childhood depression. We have Catalina, Isabel's mother. Who is going to ask us some of these concerns around the myths that exist in childhood depression. Let's listen carefully. [MUSIC] >> Doctor, many people say that childhood depression does not exist, what can you tell me about that? >> I wish childhood depression didn't exist, and many people believe that childhood depression does not exist. The main reason people think childhood depression isn't exists is because it hurts us that children are sad. And we cannot understand as adults how a child he can suffer in such a way as to set up a depression. We do not believe that depression exists in order not to suffer and not to understand that children and when we were children we suffered a lot. [MUSIC] >> If a child has depression, Is it because there was an outside event that triggered it? >> Not always. Children's depression is not always caused by a single event. most cases, Children's depression is caused by multiple reasons. External situations, endogenous situations of the child himself. In some cases, genetic situations that come to predispose children, teens and adults from having depression. And on very rare occasions, a single event can lead to depression. Most of the cases when we find sad children for a single event are duels. They are losses or they are situations that are normal and adaptive. When depression is generated by some event, are repeated events such as child abuse. Some adverse situations experienced by some children. Or situations that, repeatedly and systematically over a period of time, can cause depression. [MUSIC] >> Is childhood depression the result of bad parenting? It's my fault? >> Fortunately not. childhood depression, it is very rare that it has to do with parenting patterns or that it is the fault of the parents. Childhood depression, in most cases, it is the result of a number of phenomena. Where there are environmental factors, genetic factors and circumstantial factors. There is no need to feel guilty because children have depression. But if that sense of responsibility with children forces us to do something when they have depression. Which is to take them to consultation and agree to have treatment. [MUSIC] >> But, doctor, I believe that depression is it resolves as the child grows, isn't it? >> I wish, I wish it was. As the child grows, children acquire tools and strategies to face life, that's true. But a depression is something very serious, and it is something very difficult for children. And as much as they grow up and have better ability to adapt and cope with life. If you're in the middle of a depression, you're not going to be able to do it with growth. In contrast, letting a child grow up depressed, it can even affect their development. And it can chronic depression until adolescence. [MUSIC] >> So, doctor, if childhood depression does exist, I can imagine which is the same as that of adults, isn't it? >> No, in fact that is one of the false beliefs and myths that must be they cause us not to find depression. Children and adolescents become depressed in a very different way than adults. Adults. For example, in very young children we do not easily see them sad when they are depressed. We see them irritable, we see them upset, we see them, sometimes, aggressive. And sometimes we do see them sad. We schoolchildren see them more with a change in play patterns with a rejection of learning and a rejection of friends. And sadness also appears, but it is not the main symptom. Adolescents do have a depression much more similar to that of adults. But to believe that children get depressed in the same way and just like adults. It is an error that generates that we do not find depressions in children, that we do not diagnose them and that we do not treat them. [MUSIC] >> Do only children with severe depression or suicidal ideation need treatment? >> Of course not. Of course, when children have severe depression or even suicidal ideas and can be at risk of harm. They should be treated, all children with depression should be treated. But we don't have to wait for the children to have manifestations of self-harm, manifestations of wanting to harm oneself. Manifestations of not wanting to live to treat them. In fact, one of the reasons for finding depression in children early. It is being able to treat these children when the depression is starting. And not having to reach those situations that fortunately are not the most common in depression, but they do exist. >> But that medicine thing scares me. Is it true that medicines for depression in children are bad? >> Medicines are an excellent tool to treat depression and used in good hands. In experienced medical hands they have no problem. Not all children with depression are treated. In fact, only a small part of children with depression should receive medication. But not doing it out of fear if the child requires it is a mistake, because when we have the possibility to use medicines. They are well-studied, well-defined medications, handled by expert hands. And that they have a very low side effect profile compared to with other medicines given to children. Do not be afraid of medication for depression, you have to be afraid of depression. >> I think now I have everything clearer. Childhood depression does exist not the same as adults and what we have to do is identify and treat it. [MUSIC]
