Many people have the misconception that children are not likely to get depressed. The truth is that this mental illness can be developed in children from the age of 3 to 17 years. Depression is more common in tweens and teens.
Childhood depression is associated with persistent sadness and grief; extreme cases include suicidal thoughts. If you are worried that your child is depressed, keep reading. In this article, you will learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Is Your Child Sad or Depressed?
As the children grow, they develop new emotions. A child may feel sad at times, but this does not mean they are depressed. The timely sadness, changes in behavior, and moods are a part of the kid's mental development. So, how do you tell if your kid has depression? The answer is that childhood depression is the constant feeling of sadness, loneliness, and worthlessness. If your child is facing depression, it may disturb their family life, school life, studies, friendships, and overall behavior.
The good news is that childhood depression can be easily diagnosed and cured. If not treated timely, the depressive disorder can lead to suicide.
Potential Causes of Depression
Little kids can develop depression due to many reasons. Following are some major causes of childhood depression.
· The family history of depression.
· Broken family.
· Exposure to Violence
· Drug or Alcohol Abuse
· Traumatic Events
· Sexual Abuse
· Prolong illness
· Physical Disabilities or Injury
If the family has a history of depression, there is a high chance of a kid getting it from an early age. If a child has experienced some unfavorable events, their mental health is affected. Depression may also be a result of some chemical imbalance in the brain. Children born with autism or dyslexia are more likely to develop depression as they grow up.
What Are the Symptoms of Childhood Depression?
Some children show clear signs of mental instability, while others may not. The earlier it is diagnosed, the better it is. Following are some signs that can help you to self-diagnose depression in your child.
Abnormal Appetite
If your child shows changes in appetite, then they may be depressed. Either abrupt increase or decrease in the diet is alarming.
Changes in Sleep
When a child sleeps more than usual or does not sleep at all, they may have depression.
Feeling underconfident
Feeling worthless and unconfident is a major sign of depression.
Low Energy
If your child is lazier than usual, they may be suffering from depression.
Lack of Interest
When a child is facing mental disorder, they may lose interest in all sort of activities including schoolwork and games.
Extreme Behavior
The frequent tantrums of anger or emotional breakdown are often associated with depression.
Loneliness
If your child starts being by themselves and avoids social interaction, the chances are that they might be depressed. Consult a mental health specialist if these signs persist for more than one to two weeks.
Treatment For Childhood Depression
The treatment for kids is similar to that of adults. Depression is treated with counseling and medication. In the early stage, therapy and counseling can fully cure depression. On the other hand, medicines are used for severe cases. However, antidepressants may have some potential side effects.
How to Prevent your Kid from Getting Depression?
It is well said that prevention is better than treatment. Protect your kid before it gets too late. Keep an eye on your kid. Try to develop a strong friendship with them so that they share everything with you. Play and exercise with them. Look if your child is getting bullied or has bad company. Do not fight in front of your kids. Lastly, do not allow your child to access social media until they are mature enough.
Conclusion
To conclude, a person of any age can fall prey to depressive disorder, and children are not an exception. Many biology and environmental factors cause depression in kids. Most kids show evident symptoms of depression. Watch out for the signs and consult an expert ASAP if you see something unusual. Depression is curable with therapy and medication. Take care of your little one’s mental health to give them a bright future.
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