Is Depression in Parents and Grandparents Linked to Depression in Grandchildren?

It was once thought that children could not experience depression. Now, there is evidence that depression in young children could be as severe as major depression.

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects all ages of people. It is found to affect nearly 17 million Americans every year including children. In the U.S 1 in 33 and 1 in 18 teens are affected. In India, depression is seen in 0.4 % to 2.5 % in children and 0.4 % to 8.3 % in adolescents.

Childhood depression is different from the normal "blues" and normal emotions that occur as a child develops. Just because a child seems difficult to manage doesnt necessarily mean he or she has significant depression. If sadness is persistent, or if the disruptive behavior interferes with normal activities, schoolwork, or interests, family life, it might indicate that he or she has a depressive sickness.

It is well known that having depressed parents increases risk of psychiatrist disorder in children. Earlier studies on the depression of children were focused more on depression state of the parents, but current study includes that depression of grandparents increases the risk of depression in children.

Children of depressed parents have two times risk of getting the major depressive disorder. Children of depressed parents and grandparents have three times risk of gaining major depressive disorder. Children of depressed parents and healthy grandparents have a greater risk of developing a major depressive disorder that children of parents without depression.