Childhood depression is not the same as normal “blues.” When a child’s disruptive behavior begins to interfere with normal activities, it may be a sign of depressive illness. If you feel that your child is suffering from depression, it is difficult to understand what to do. Children with a family history of depression or those with families in conflict have been found to be at higher risk of developing depression.
It is important to understand that although depression is a serious illness, it is also treatable. Children age 12 and older may begin to use drugs or alcohol and may also show other symptoms related to depression to watch for.
Diagnosis of depression in children.
According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 2.8 million adolescents ages 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode (MDE). acronym in English) in the last year. This number represented 11.4 percent of the US population ages 12 to 17.
Experts believe that parents of infants and toddlers need to be more vigilant in understanding their problem and behavior as they are unable to express their feelings. According to a report published on abcnews.com in 2006, Dr. Jess Shatkin, director of education and training at the Child Study Center at New York University, said, “Babies can be depressed. We think maybe one in 40, give or take, but it certainly can happen.”
A depressed child’s development may slow down and they may frequently complain of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomach aches. A baby may also be clingy and refuse to eat or sleep, while a toddler may show slightly different symptoms, such as crying and waking up during the night due to nightmares. At times, they can become very demanding and display destructive behavior, with increased irritability, anger or hostility, experts say.
In older children, moodiness, apathy, moodiness, and reluctance to go to school are some of the common symptoms. They may also find it difficult to concentrate on studies and may lose interest in their work and play. Many children complain that they are bored and although there are activities for them, they do not participate and continue to complain that they are “bored”. This could be a sign of depression.
Teen depression is a major problem in the US Depression causes noticeable changes in their thinking and behavior: They can become extremely moody and irritable, and they can drop their interests or hobbies and not find a new one.
According to 2014 data compiled by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 8.3% of adolescents suffer from depression for at least one year at a time, compared to approximately 5.3% of the general population.
Parents may find that their teens lose interest in their own personal appearance or become obsessed with a habit or routine. Young children may also experience frequent thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in seven adolescents in the age group of 15 to 19 attempts suicide during the depressive phase.
Is your son depressed?
Depression has a significant impact on adolescent development, but keep in mind that not all children with these symptoms are depressed. Teen depression can negatively affect school and work performance, harm family and peer relationships, although some children can still function reasonably well in most activities.
“A symptom alone means your child is unlikely to have depression. It’s about how extreme the problem is,” says Anna Olek of the Mental Health Foundation, a British charity. She added: “You have to ask, ‘Is my son going on with his life despite the problem or is he holding it back?'”
Make help available
It is very sad to live with depression. Emotional health is just as important as physical health. If your child is suffering from depression, he should seek professional help. There are many good depression treatment centers that specialize in depression therapy.