Children may not exhibit the same symptoms of Depression as Adults
Seasonal depression is in season right now. Children might experience depression as well as seasonal affective disorder. Fewer kids are said to be depressed, despite the fact that many kids are said to be nervous. The CDC estimated that 2.7 American children suffered from depression prior to the pandemic, and research indicates that this figure has been progressively rising ever since.
What to look out for and what to do if you think your child is depressed are listed below.
What symptoms of childhood depression are there?
There are several ways that depression in children may manifest. Parents should be on the lookout for the following, according to Dr. Georgina Garcia, a psychiatrist from Franciscan Children's Behavioral Health Services:
- a decline in interest in routine or enjoyable activities
- an erosion of grades
- Mood swings, heightened irritation, and emotional instability
- alterations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
- fewer social engagement with peers and more solitude
- somatic symptoms like headaches or stomach pains
- Self-injury (scratching, cutting oneself) (scratching, cutting themselves)
Reporting suicidal or death-related thoughts, even in jest
There may be differences in the symptoms in children and adults. Children frequently refer to being bored instead of being depressed, according to Garcia. "Children don't always have the language to describe their emotions," she adds.
While toddlers might just exhibit physical symptoms like stomach pain and don't appear as "sad" or irritable as an adult with depression might, adults with depression do frequently experience physical symptoms.
What to do if you suspect depression in your kid
You should seek assistance right away if you believe your kid is in risk of injuring or killing themselves. You can obtain 24/7 phone or chat support from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States by dialing "988." Visit their website instead (previously the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Or, according to Garcia, "If there is an immediate concern for the child's safety, the parent should take the child to the nearest emergency room for an evaluation."
According to Garcia, "Parents should first seek a professional assessment and support from their child's pediatrician" if you have any suspicions that your child is sad but isn't in urgent danger. You can also try to see a mental health care provider directly, however there are sometimes extensive wait lists. The doctor will know what questions to ask and indicators to look for, and if required, the physician can recommend a qualified pediatric psychiatrist or psychologist for the kid. But for the benefit of your child's mental health, it is still worthwhile to pursue.
Although it's crucial to take your child to a specialist, Garcia asserts that parents should understand that they are their child's greatest expert. Sometimes a teacher or other trusted adult notices these changes, but most often it is a parent who can track these patterns in their own children and get them the help they need as soon as possible. "If their child has had changes in their mood, interests, and behaviors, the parents are crucial to early identification of these symptoms and can help engage their child in mental health care."
What to do if your child has been given a depression diagnosis
Your kid will require a diagnosis of depression from a medical expert, such as a doctor or a psychologist, in order to seek official depression treatment. The next step, according to Garcia, is "talk therapy," which frequently entails the kid meeting once a week with a psychologist or social worker to discuss their feelings and help them learn coping mechanisms Therapy may occasionally be provided at a private facility, on campus, or in partnership with the school. Medicaid and a lot of insurance policies pay for treatment, but you should always double-check with your plan.
"The clinician or pediatrician may recommend medications and/or a referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist to see if medicine is appropriate for the child," Garcia adds if the depression persists despite therapy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, like Prozac or Zoloft, are frequently used to treat depression. While some kids react favorably to these drugs, others experience negative effects or are unable to take them because of other health conditions. The optimal course of therapy for your kid will need to be discussed by you and the medical staff.
Will a youngster who receives a diagnosis of depression endure it forever?
If you've ever suffered with depression, it could have just lasted a short while or it might have persisted throughout your entire life. Garcia claims that it is not a permanent diagnosis for your child.
The good news is that depression can be treated, and the youngster could no longer require therapy or medicine, according to the expert. By assisting your kid to address their symptoms and receive therapy now, you are laying the foundation for more resilient and fruitful mental health patterns in the future, despite the fact that depressed episodes might occasionally recur.
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