Why are more children being diagnosed with depression?
Because of better observation, not necessarily a real increase. Until 1980, most mental health professionals believed a theory that said, in essence, depression is caused by a punitive superego. (Superego is our conscience and dictates our sense of right and wrong.) The thinking was that people don’t develop a superego until adolescence; therefore, pre-adolescents can’t suffer depression. It sounds silly today. About 10% of children will suffer a depressive episode before age 12, but the disease is difficult to recognize. Kids usually don’t know that the way they’re feeling isn’t normal and they can’t express their feelings as directly as adults can.
