Depression in Children

Depression in children is a very unnoticeable emotion that takes place as they develop and grow. Don't confuse sadness with depression. Depression is a much broader term and has a lot to say itself. Although if sadness is common and appears daily, it might get converted into depression. It is a very serious illness but definitely can be treated.

In this article, we will learn about this in a little more detail, its causes, and how to overcome it.

How to know if your child is depressed?

If your child's mental health interferes with studies, school or college, social life, or family, then it's time to get help. Sometimes everyone has ups and downs in their lives, but when they start feeling blue, that's the clue that they are in depression.

Depression is nothing but a mood disorder that can irritate children or make them feel hopeless and sad.

In severe cases, depression leads to thoughts of suicide, which is very common nowadays, and the only way to stop it is not to ignore DEPRESSION.

It can affect people of any age, but mainly it affects children or rather students. In children, depression and anxiety (panic, fear, etc.) go hand in hand.

How common is depression?

Depression is the most common mental health disorder in children, and it tends to be higher in the age group of teenagers, i.e., 12-19. A theory suggests that at least 3.2 million children had depression in the US, almost 13.3% of the US population.

Examples of behavior often seen in children suffering from depression

• Feeling frustrated and irritated all the time.
• Not enjoying things they are a part of.
• Showing changes in every aspect of their lifestyle.
• The sleeping schedule is messed up.
• Feeling hopeless/worthless- no motivation or confidence in themselves.
• Self-destructive behavior.

What causes depression in children?

A combination of factors leads to depression. One situation or negative thought can never cause depression, and it can only be a part of why your child is depressed. Let's discuss the causes in a little more detail.

1. Education pressure
2. Have you all ever thought to yourself that education can be a burden for your child? Not that you should stop educating them, but don't burden them to study 24*7. If your children's scores are low/average, you ought to scold them instead of motivating them to do better next time. Positive motivation and negative motivation are a thing. Due to negative motivation, children think of self-harm ideas like suicide.
3. "You can never improve someone's behavior or grades by telling them they aren't good enough".

Every kid is not the same, and everyone cannot be the top scorers in the class. You have to stop comparing your child with their friends, and he will feel bad that you might think someone else is better.

• Instead of telling them to score better, you can provide the knowledge as to why education is important. Tell them stories. That will motivate them, and your job is done.
• Let them decide what's best for them. Don't try to choose your child's field. If you do, so they will fail anyway because it's not their first preference.
• Tell them that it's important to have a balanced life. Studies are important, but so are their dreams.

Social media

• Again social media have both positive and negative impacts on a different set of people. It's hard to say that it causes depression, but it plays a role in it. Studies show that connecting with your friends through social media is less effective than in person, as the more time your child spends on social media; the more they will feel isolated.
• Social media can also hurt someone's self-esteem because this generation thinks differently. Even if we have everything, something is always missing. We look at people, and we are jealous. Instead of just being comfortable in our own lives. Because someone can be better and have a better life, but that's okay.
• The teenage mind is a lot more complicated. There are a lot of things on social media that can internally hurt them. Some children cannot deal with all this, and it is too much pressure.
• To stop this from happening, you don't need to tell them to stop using social media, and you need to change their perspective of seeing a few things. Balancing social and personal life is very important for teenagers to not fall into the trap of depression.

Family history

• Children who have seen their family members go through this phase might have a good amount of chances to fall into the same.
• Even if your family isn't perfectly happy and has your issues, NEVER drag your children in it. You never know what your child can go through seeing such toxic things happening around their own family.
• Provide your children with a good, sound environment to live in. Remove chaotic events from in front of your children's eyes.

Physical health

• Children with any health problems are likely to fall into depression. For example, Problems like obesity can hurt their feelings of not being good enough in personality.

Relationships

• Relationships can mess teenagers or students. In this generation, teenagers believe that they have certain strong feelings for a person, and they cannot live without them. When it breaks off, they try suicide.
• Being in a relationship isn't wrong. It's good as it is a part of everyone's life that helps them grow from their own mistakes.
• Being a teenager, I think there is no such concept as a person cannot live without someone. Make your relationships mature enough to be a part of your life, and that doesn't cause harm to your mental health.
• Don't restrict your children from avoiding this stuff at this age. Rather tell them the pros and cons of the same. Because if you are not ready to be cool enough to listen to this, you might end up losing your children. Relationships are the major cause of depression nowadays.
• Talking it out is the best solution. Everything in the teenage years is for fun and growth. Being serious is good to an extent. You need to understand that you are too young to be affected by all this.

How to treat depression?

Treatment of depression is similar in children to that of adults. Psychotherapy and meditation are the two most common methods used. Make sure to consult a doctor before taking any step. Because every child is different, their behaviors and patterns are also different, and you never know what might cause them even more pain. Doctors often tell to give antidepressant pills. Most medicines used for treating depression have a black box warning that it might increase suicidal thoughts initially. So it's very important to take professional help without doing anything on your own.

Conclusion

Do the right thing by supporting your children through thick and thin. You never know what slightest thing can cause depression. Take good care of them so they don't fall into the trap. Even if they do, don't be late in visiting a doctor and giving them the best treatment before they think of any self-destructive ideas like suicide.