Depression in Children: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Depression in Children: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Are you stressed or worried because your child is suffering from depression? Children often feel depressed, sad, and lonely due to various reasons. In case your child is constantly hopeless or sad that is affecting his daily life, relationships, etc., it means he is going through childhood depression. It is a mental health problem that requires proper child psychological evaluation.

Can Children Really Suffer from Depression?

Every fifth child is suffering from depression at various times because mental health problems are becoming common over time. There is no need of worrying about it because health professionals can diagnose and treat it properly, so stop worrying and consult a professional because psychological evaluation for child is necessary if you have any doubts about the mental health of your child.

How Can I Tell If My Child Is Depressed?

Childhood depression is different from the changes that a child develops with time. It is not necessary that if a child is going through sad feelings or irritable and sad mood, he is suffering from childhood depression.

Childhood depression is a persistent feeling of sadness where the child feels helpless, worthless, hopeless, and alone all the time. When this situation is developing, the life of the child is affected badly and disturbs his daily routine, social life, and various activities and relationships.

Depression In Children: Warning Signs

Parents or caretakers can observe the warning signs about depression in children. Those signs can be;

Lack of concentration on any work.

Anger

Irritable mood

Stomachaches and headaches

symptoms of physical illness

Changes in behavior

Changes in temperament

Changes in appetite

Negative thoughts

Disturbed sleep cycle

Weak performance in academics

Thoughts about dying

Emotional outburst

Symptoms of Depression in Children

Depression in children is different from depression in adults. Adults seem to be sad in depression whereas children are in an angry and irritable mood. You can see the following changes in your child;

Anger

Low academic performance

Irritability

Complaints of physical illness

Crying

Difficulty in concentrating

Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness

Suicidal thoughts

Negative thoughts

Low energy levels

Warning Signs of Suicide Risk

Childhood depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. Suicide is one of the leading causes of children's death from the age of 5 years to 14 years. If your child is suffering from depression, look for the following warning signs in him that are related to suicide;

Social cut off

Talking about death and suicide very often

Various symptoms of depression

Substance use

Accidents

Use of weapons

Problematic behavior

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

What Causes Depression in Children?

Everyone can develop depression and it's not your fault. It is a sign of weakness and when any traumatic or stressful event occurs, depression can develop. Various factors that contribute to depression are;

Family History

Those children whose family members have mood disorders like depression have a greater possibility of developing symptoms of depression or other depressive disorders.

Environmental Factors

An unstable or stressful home environment can be a cause of depression among children. Bullying or disrespecting behavior at school or social circles can also be a factor.

Brain Chemistry

The working of the brain depends on o various hormones and neurotransmitters. They affect emotions and mood and contribute to the risk of depression.

Trauma or Stress

Significant negative changes in life like divorce, abuse, insult, loss, or any traumatic event contributes to depression.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment options for depression are psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. People are often of medication because of the side effects, but it's not always compulsory to take medicines to treat depression. Talk therapy is also very helpful in treating depression.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is widely used as a treatment option by experts for depression. It works by identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. It helps overcome fears that make you depressed.

Medications

Antidepressants can help in treating depression in children. Constant monitoring of the child should be for minimizing the side effects of medicines. There is a risk of suicidal thoughts for people age less than 25 years. Thus, proper guidance should be taken by experts.

Change in Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are effective in treating mild cases of depression. Relaxation techniques, ways to release stress, and regular exercise can help in dealing with depression.

Final Thoughts!

If your child is suffering from depression, make sure you get help from an expert to make sure your child stays mentally healthy in the future. In case you are searching for psychological help in Glenview, you should visit Dr. Jessica Myszak at the Help and Healing Center. She has specialized in child clinical psychology and has experience of years. She is also an expert in disruptive behavior disorders testing and will help you in a great way to treat your child' depression and make him feel better.