CHILD DEPRESSION

I AM A 34 YEAR OLD PARENT OF TWO(TEN AND 4 YR.OLD).MY SON(10)BEGAN THE FIFTH GRADE AND HAS HAD A ROCKY START.I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HIS TEACHER ASKING ABOUT HIS HOME LIFE.HE HAS GOTTEN STRAIGHT F'S AND LAST YEAR WAS A RELATIVELY GOOD STUDENT.THE TEACHER STATES THAT HE NEVER RAISES HIS HEAD IN CLASS AND APPEARS TO BE DEPRESSED.I RELATIVELY AM A DEPRESSED PERSON AND HAVE TRIED MASKING IT TO AVOID PITY OR ATTENTION.MY CONCERN IS, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY DEPRESSION IS SOMEHOW CHANNELING TO MY SON.HE IS VERY SLUGGISH AND THINGS HAVE TO BE SAID TO HIM THREE AND FOUR TIMES BEFORE THEY ARE DONE.ARE MY COMMENTS TO HIM TO STRONG,SOMETIMES I CALL HIM LAZY IN A STRONG TONE.FAMILY LIFE HAS NOT CHANGED AT HOME WHERE I CAN PINPOINT A PROBLEM.I JUST WANT TO BE A GOOD PARENT AND DO WHATS BEST FOR MY CHID. PLEASE HELP.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If you are depressed, this can certainly have an influence on your son. And, strictly in a biological sense, if a parent diplays a depressive disorder, a child of that parent will be more vulnerable to depression than will a child of parents who do not display a depressive disorder.

If your son's presentation has changed as dramatically as it seems like it has, it would be wise to seek an evaluation by a pediatric mental health professional.

[GERY]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE,HVMA  .GERY

[Pam Heider]

It would certainly be in your sons best interest for you to get some help.  There are so many antidepressants available for you to help with your depression.  Any behavior observed by your child has influence on him, so do the right thing - and start by getting yourself some help.  He too, may need professional help if his behavior remains the same.

[pattie]

yes i was wondering if you could give me some information about child depression i mean like i would just like to get some of your point of view of what you think about child depression?