How to Recognize Depression in Children
Depression isn’t just feeling down in the dumps. It is a real illness that is triggered by numerous stressors or changes in life, such as divorce, frequent marital and/or family conflict, illness, death, lack of appropriate or consistent parenting, sibling conflicts, bullying, and/or emotional or physical abuse.
It can also erupt in a child’s life for other, less
apparent reasons: low self-esteem, poor social skills, social anxiety, inept
coping tools, other emotional or psychological problems.
Symptoms vary as much in children as adults, but a few tend to consistently
appear. Some common signs of depression are:
1. Changes in eating patterns.
2. Moodiness, predominantly depressed.
3. Angry outbursts (talking back) and/or tearfulness.
4. Withdrawal.
5. Signs of hopelessness.
6. Lack of energy.
7. Difficulty remembering or concentrating.
8. Changes in sleeping patterns.
9. Suicidal ideation/attempts/talk of giving belongings away.
10. New peer group associations.
11. Regressive behaviors, such as bedwetting, thumb sucking, nail biting,
tantrums, hurting siblings, animals, peers, destructive behaviors, drop in
grades, failure to uphold responsibilities.
12. Low self-esteem.
13. Lack of enjoyment in usual activities.
If your child displays any five of these symptoms for more than two weeks, please seek help before the situation worsens.
Cognitive, behavioral, spiritual, and/or family interventions are scientifically proven to assist depressed children in recovery from the throes of depression. Medication also is a useful adjunct treatment in some cases, and is often used in conjuntion with talk therapy.