Childhood depression is a very real and very scary thing. While some well-meaning adults may be confused about the reasons a child could possibly have to be depressed, it is nevertheless a serious issue. Mental illness and depression are hereditary, so certain people—including children—are just more prone to experience feelings of depression than others, even when there is no apparent reason for those feelings. It's also possible that the child may not be able to articulate the reasons for their feelings.
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That's actually a good reason for parents to be even more attuned to signs of depression in their children. A child is likely to become depressed and have no idea why they feel the way they do, and that there's actually a name for it, whereas teens and adults are more familiar with it, likely know they are not alone in their experience and are more empowered to seek help on their own.
As parents, we all want our children to be happy, so when we notice changes in behavior it's best to address them as soon as you realize it's more than just a brief phase. If left unaddressed, childhood depression can turn into adolescent depression and even adult depression, both of which can be much more dangerous. Click through the gallery to see some signs you should look out for, along with tips for handling them.