Childhood is a happy time, right? Not necessarily. Consider these facts.
     Depression may occur in as many as 1 in 33 children.
     Once a child has an episode(一段情节) of depression, he or she has a 50 percent chance of experiencing
another episode in the next 5 years.
     Suicide(自杀) is the 6th leading cause of death for 5-to-15-year-olds.
     If your child experiences 5 or more of these signs or symptoms (症状) for at least 2 weeks, he or she
may be experiencing depression or another mental illness.
     Feeling-Does your child demonstrate: Sadness Emptiness Hopelessness Guilt Worthlessness Lack of
enjoyment in everyday pleasures
     Thinking-Is your child having trouble: Concentrating Making decisions Completing schoolwork Maintaining
grades Maintaining friendships
     Physical problems-Does your child complain of: Headaches Stomachaches Lack of energy Sleeping
problems ( too much or too little) Weight or appetite changes ( gain or loss )
     Suicide risk-Does your child talk or think about: Suicide Death Other morbid (生病的) subjects
      Behavior problems-Is your child: Irritable Not wanting to go to school Wanting to be alone most of the
time Having difficulty getting along with others Cutting classes or skipping school Dropping out of sports,
hobbies or other activities Drinking alcohol or using drugs. Sometimes, a child who causes problems at school
or at home may actually be depressed, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry. If you think your child may be depressed, it's important to have your child treated. Discuss your
child's problems with his or her doctor. The doctor may suggest a referral to a children's psychologist (心
理医生) or psychiatrist (精神病医生). Treatment may include individual and family therapy (治疗), along
with an antidepressant medication (抗抑郁药).