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How to Know if Your Child is Depressed
Children, very young children, in fact, can suffer from depression. Sometimes the depression is triggered by a move or a parents divorce. Other times, it can come on unexpectedly — so much so, it’s often ignored or attirbuted to some other reason.
But depression in kids, even ones 3, 5, 7 years old, is serious. The earlier treatment is sought — whether it’s through medication or talk therapy or both — the more prepared a family can be for the onset of adolescence, when depression can lead to more dangerous behaviors.
Parenting magazine, via CNN, lists some signs of childhood depression. Your child may be depressed if he or she exhibits five or more of the following behaviors:
• She’s bored, low on energy, and having trouble concentrating
• He’s lost interest in once-loved activities
• She’s easily aggravated and prone to throwing tantrums
• He’s having problems at school, or is frequently absent
• She’s complaining about headaches, stomachaches, or other physical pain
• He’s eating less because food “doesn’t taste good,” or eating more, seemingly to try to soothe himself
• She’s having trouble sleeping (or sleeping too much) nearly every day
• He’s having difficulty in relationships
• She’s voicing an unusual fascination with death
Parents who suspect their children are depressed should talk to the pediatrician first, though the author of the Parenting piece warns that some pediatricians are skeptical about depression in such young children.
Depression in children is more common than we might think and it can run in families. Depression is often masked by other childhood issues, such as ADHD or obsessive compulsive disorder. We’re used to depressed adults become sad and withdrawn, but depression in kids my show up in bouts of irritability.
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brickeater commented on Jul 05 10 at 9:11 pmI agree wholeheartedly with this artice. I began to become very depressed at around 7 years old, the same time that my parents divorced. I remember seeing my mother dating a man who was married, constantly breaking her heart, constantly hearing her scream and cry. My depression ahs gotten exponentially worse throughout the years, and by the time I was 15 I was put on meds, now I’m 22 and still have to take my medication.
PArents, please talk to your children, ask them how they’re feeling and show them lots of love. If you’re going to argue with your spouse please don’t do it in front of them, they absorb every emotion like a sponge.
Suinda
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