Is your child or teen depressed? What do you do to cope with the stress, fear and isolation that
can result?
Depression can be defined as a serious mental illness, which usually has an effect on one’s physical and mental health. It’s normal for children to feel down, be cranky or think negatively, this is just part of growing up. Depression is much more than just feeling sad, blue or low.
Childhood depression is very real and very common, but also very treatable. No one thing causes depression in children, according to the NMHA’s Children’s Mental Health Matters campaign.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of children in children vary. It often goes undiagnosed and untreated because they are seen to be as normal emotional and psychological changes that occur during growth.
Not all children have all of these symptoms. Some common symptoms are, mood swings, difficulty in sleeping or concentrating, change in their eating habits, feel sad or angry all the time, low self-esteem, have suicidal thoughts and impaired performance in schoolwork.
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms for longer than two weeks, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Few Tips For Parents To Help Their Child In Depression
Being a parent is not easy. It’s very difficult to deal with your child’s pain. You often feel scared and feel helpless. These are some ways in which you can help your child-
1. Don’t blame yourself.
Not blaming your child will help your child in many ways. This is no one’s fault. It will give you the strength to fight with it positively.
2. Don’t panic.
This will not help your child. It can be successfully treated more than 80% of the time. As long as you are consulting a good doctor, you have a very good chance of recovering. As much as a good doctor is important, supportive parents are most important for a child with depression. The key to everything is showing patience.
3. Read about depression.
Read up about depression, its symptoms, causes, and treatment. The more you know, especially about treatment options, the more effectively you can help your child.
4. Reassure your child that it’s okay to be depressed.
Children often hide things from parents thinking that they might upset them. Make it clear to your child that nothing is as upsetting to you as being unable to help them because they’re afraid to hurt you.
5. Talk to your child frequently.
Talk to your child about his feelings and the things that might be bothering him. Try to spend as much time as possible with your kid. when someone’s depressed, talking is often the last thing they want to do. Provide some good opportunities, like taking a walk or preparing a meal together, for your child to talk to you.
6. Take charge of your child’s treatment.
Make sure that their doctor is knowledgeable, understanding and someone who listens. Take charge of your child’s treatment. Ensure that your child is regular with her/his appointments and takes medication on time. You might have to be harsh and persistent, for the treatment to work, as it is the only thing that will make any difference.
7. Don’t be afraid of the “S” word.
You may be afraid to ask your child if they are having suicidal thoughts, but it’s very important. If they are already having suicidal thoughts, talking about it openly and making them understand will be a big relief. If they haven’t, talking about it openly will allow them to bring the subject up again if this change.
8. Encourage your child to enter therapy.
Talk therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, can help your child break out of negative and self-hating thought patterns that are generated by depression. Follow your child’s treatment plan. The treatment works, but it may take a few weeks. The depressed child may not recognise changes in the mood right away.
9. Be positive.
Participate with your child in various physical and creative activities. Try to indulge in as many relaxation activities as possible. Focus on the child’s strengths. Be patient and listen to your child’s problems. Help them find solutions to their problems and encourage them to stay as positive as possible.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, it’s very common to deny that your child has depression. You may put off seeking the help of mental health care professional because of the social stigmas associated with mental illness. You need to understand depression and realise the importance of treatment so that your child may continue to grow physically and emotionally in a healthy way.
