Depression is seen as a very adult problem. In fact, until quite recently many psychiatrists believed children couldn't suffer from the condition because they weren't emotionally mature enough.

However, mental health experts now agree childhood depression does exist - and it's on the rise.

"It's the area of depression that's increasing most, which is really scary because the evidence shows that you're more likely to be depressed as an adult if you've been depressed as a child," says Alexandra Massey, author of Happy Kids.

"We've got this timebomb waiting to happen - so many adults are going to be depressed when this generation grows up if something's not done."

Anjula Mutanda, resident psychological therapist on ITV1's This Morning, says the vital thing is to educate yourself so you can easily pick up if your child has a problem.

"Depression is one of those things we don't exactly know the cause of, and there is usually more than one factor involved. With some people it could be a chemical imbalance, or depression can run in families.

"Also with children, significant life events such as the death of a loved one, a best friend moving, divorce, moving to a new area, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, abuse or neglect can trigger depression.

"Parents really need to educate themselves about the signs and the symptoms," Mutanda continues. "There are excellent websites, like www.youngminds.org.uk, www.mind.org.uk and www.rethink.org, which have plenty of advice to support a parent through. If a parent is armed with information, they are so much stronger."

SYMPTOMS

The question is, how can we tell if our child is depressed, and what can we do to help them?

Although not an extensive checklist, if your child is suffering from five or more of the following symptoms for a sustained period, it may be time to seek help.

  • Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
  • Short concentration span
  • Lack of energy
  • Becoming clingy
  • Prolonged sadness or unhappiness
  • Complaints about ailments that don't seem to have a cause
  • Disruption in sleep pattern
  • Drop in school performance and bad behaviour in class
  • Major changes in appetite and weight
  • Withdrawn, angry, nervous, irritable or sulky
  • Low self-esteem, is negative about life and thinks nobody likes them
  • Is physically agitated
  • Contemplating suicide or is self-harming

HELPING YOUR CHILD

If you think your child is suffering from depression you can help, Massey says.

"Listen, and I mean really listen, to what your child is saying underneath the words. Children can't verbalise their feelings like we can, and therefore we have to try and understand them on a different level - try and get into their world so you are available to hear them."

With young children she suggests you start playing their favourite game with them, be it building trains or playing with dolls. That way you establish a fun and safe relationship - and that's when you can begin to ask some poignant questions. Start off by talking about yourself, then turn the conversation to them. For example, say: "I'm a bit sad today, how are you feeling?"

Of course, teenagers are a different kettle of fish and even those who aren't depressed prefer not to talk to their parents about most things. But Massey says it's important and possible to open up the lines of communication.

She suggests having a chat while you're doing something else, like going on a bike ride, so the focus isn't entirely on them.

You should also let your child know that you love them unconditionally, which will help build their self-esteem.

"It's so important kids know that whatever they do or say, or how ever much trouble they get into, they are loved," Massey says. "It's the absolute foundation to growing into a healthy adult. It's a confidence thing - if you know you are loved you've always got that to fall back on."

THE MEDICAL ROUTE

While supporting your child at home will help, it is also a good idea to seek medical assistance as soon as you feel there is a problem with depression, according to Mutanda.

"The sooner it's dealt with, the better," she insists. "Leave things and it could be deadly. Children and young adolescents are at a high risk of suicide because they don't understand what's going on within them, they just know that something terrible is happening."

Take your child to see your GP. If they believe depression is at work, they will refer your child to a child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist for a more in-depth assessment. The specialist will then determine which course of action is the most appropriate for your child.

They may suggest some sort of talking treatment, like psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy, in which you are taught to change the way you think about things, or family therapy, where you can sometimes get to the root of the problem in the household.

"In some more extreme cases, where it's a major depressive illness and the child has talked about suicide, psychiatrists may advise a course of medication - an anti-depressant," Mutanda says.

"Medication is used in those instances where talking therapy hasn't worked, the child is so depressed and their serotonin levels are so low that they can't actually think logically. It is a last resort."

DON'T DESPAIR

While no parent wants to have a depressed child, it's not all doom and gloom according to Massey.

"I would go as far as saying it can be a blessing in disguise," she says. "A depressed kid is usually a symptom of something not quite right in the family, and it's such a brilliant way of tackling that issue and getting it out in the open - everyone benefits.

"You can all become so much happier and so much closer as a result."