Concerned That Your Child Is Depressed? Signs To Look For
Kids go through a lot of changes. While we adults might feel nostalgia for the innocence of childhood, growing up isn’t that simple. Children can become depressed because of genetics or life circumstances the same way adults can. If you notice your child behaving differently and you think they may be depressed, they need intervention right away. Addressing their depression early with medical and mental health professionals will prevent it from becoming a long-term issue.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder in which you lose interest in doing things you loved and feel down and melancholy. It can affect everything from interpersonal relationships to academic and job performance. Depression can sometimes lead to dangerous behaviors such as substance abuse and suicide. Depression can also be a sign of other mental health issues such as bipolar disorder. It’s usually diagnosed if symptoms persist for over two weeks.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of depression include:
persistent tearfulness and frequent crying
feelings of guilt or shame
difficulty concentrating
low self-esteem
feeling unmotivated and bored
changes in sleeping habits, particularly hypersomnia
fatigue and exhaustion
interpersonal conflict
changes in eating habits, such as overeating
feelings of impending doom
irritability or crankiness
withdrawing from friends and family
finding little joy in what they once loved
substance use
self-harm
You should know that depression in kids sometimes presents more as irritability than sadness. They can have a hard time articulating their feelings and so turn to showing behavioral issues. A kid might act out at school or fight with others rather than seeming sad. They also tend to have more somatic symptoms—illnesses that won’t go away, body pains, etc.—than emotional ones. Pay attention if your kid complains of frequent stomachaches or headaches that don’t respond to treatment.
Risk factors
Anyone can become depressed. Genetics is a strong risk factor. Even without a family history, child might have depression as a result of severe trauma such as sexual abuse or bullying. It can be caused by other stressful situations, such as romantic breakups, moving away from friends, prolonged physical illness, or family conflict. If your child is struggling academically or has a learning disability, this may also affect their mood. Often, depression isn’t caused by just one thing. Rather, your child may tend towards depression and also experience several stressful or traumatic events.
How to talk to your kid
The most important thing when approaching your kid about depression is that they’re not alone. Make sure you let them know that you’re a safe person to talk to. Even if you think their root issues aren’t that big of a deal, they’re very real to your child. Don’t belittle or downplay their feelings. Make them your number one priority and ensure you’re there for them. Start the conversation. Ask questions about their life. Encourage healthy coping skills, such as creating art and doing self-care routines.
Reaching out for help
If your child is depressed, they need intervention from medical professionals, particularly if they’re showing signs of being suicidal. If they’re talking about making a plan for suicide, giving away their possessions, and severely self-harming, you should take them to an emergency room. For treatment in the long term, there are several antidepressants approved by the FDA to treat depression in children and adolescents. You should also find them a licensed therapist to talk to weekly. Therapy sessions will help them discover the roots of their depression and manage their negative thoughts and feelings.
To learn more about how depression therapy can help treat your child’s depression, please reach out to us.
