Anonymous asked this question on 4/3/2000:

HOW CONVINCING IS THE ARGUMENT THAT CHILDREN CAN BECOME DEPRESSED?

ampito gave this response on 4/16/2000:

There are documentated cases of children as young as five showing the classical symptoms of depression. In fact, children that young have committed suicide. Many children that are that depressed that early in life have been psychologically abused or sexually abused. We don't often give children credit for being as smart as they are. I know more about adolescent depression and suicide because I have researched it. Many adolescents become depressed due to hormonal changes in their bodies and the cruelity of their peers. Many gay children and adolescents commit suicide rather than tell their parents that they were gay and face the pain of ostrocism of their family as well as their friends. Any child or adolescent who says that they would like to die should be taken seriously. If you suspect someone, of whatever age, is seriously depressed, ask him/her. It won't put ideas in their mind and may be a life saver. I hope that this answers your questions and will help you to decide if a child or adolescent that you know could be truly depressed. The answer is YES!