chemistry of DepressionThe study of the biochemistry of depression in adults has highlighted the role of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Research on the biological aspects of depression suggests that during the earlier developmental periods of childhood and adolescence, the neuroregulatory system is not equivalent to that in adulthood. Thus, while many workers still find evidence for a biological dysfunction in childhood depression, a translation of the adult findings would not be sufficient. Most of the characteristics of adult depression are not present with childhood depression, and vise versa.Social-Psychological InfluencesDespite much interest, much of the thinking regarding social and psychological influences on child and adolescent depression is still based on theories derived from work with depressed adults. Probably the most common psychological explanation of depression would be separation or loss. The loss could be real, as in a death or move, or it could be separation anxiety that could be present when the child begins school or parent returns to work. This could be a very emotion time for the child and they may need some extra help learning to cope with their feelings.Cognitive-Behavioral PerspectivesThere has been studies don to suggest that many children with learning disabilities would become depressed due to a sense of hopelessness. They have, in their minds, let down the people around them by not being able to do everything as well as they should. They may not know how to deal with their feelings toward themselves so they then become withdrawn and depressed.The Impact of Maternal DepressionA major area of research on childhood depression has been an examination of children of depressed parents. Much of the research done has focused on depression in the mothers and relatively little is known on the impact of depressed fathers. It is clear, however, that parental depressi...
