Health & Fitness

What Are the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Depression in Children?

Young boy sitting by himself on bleachers and holding a teddy bear. Unsplash
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According to the research, in the USA, there are 3.2% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 have been diagnosed with depression. Here we’ll briefly discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children.

Depression is a state of mind that can cause behavior and mood disorders. A person with the symptoms of depression may experience a loss of appetite, sleep disorders, or misunderstanding in relationships.

It can cause losing interest in one’s favorite hobbies and activities that he/she had enjoyed before.

Severe depression can cause suicidal thoughts or a depressed one can harm others and him/herself as well.

Signs of child depression and causes are may vary. Parents should keep strong connections with children so they will know their feelings, emotional changes and hurdles they face in daily life.

In this article, you’ll find symptoms, main causes, and treatment of depression in children of different ages. You’ll able to help your children and pull them out from mental issues like depression and anxiety.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children. A young boy sits by himself on bleachers and holding a teddy bear. Unsplash
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children. A young boy sits by himself on bleachers and holds a teddy bear. Unsplash

How can children be affected by depression?

Depression affects people of any age group. It also can develop in children between the ages of 5 to 18 years. Most behavioral problems are normal because, naturally, children have different mood disorders as they grow up and in puberty.

However, depression builds an imaginary wall between the child and the outer world. Depress child avoids friends and family gatherings, loses interest in school activities, and develops unexplainable fears.

If these symptoms last for over two weeks, that would be alarming, and should need to consult a health provider.

Symptoms of Depression in Children:

How to know if your child is in a state of depression?

Here are some easy ways to find out. Either your child has depression or it is a brief span of sadness and mood changes.

Symptoms, causes and treatment of depression in children. Teenaged girl sitting sad and depressed. Unspalsh
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children. A teenage girl sits sad and depressed. Unsplash

1) Sadness:

Sadness or blues is a normal human emotion, children become sad for many reasons, and it could be separation, losing a relationship, a friend or a pet, school work, failure, or bullying. Try to find out the reason for the sadness, talk to the child, and provide support. More likely, the sadness span goes on itself after a few days.

A depressed child may consider themselves as a loser or an unwanted child, have suicidal thoughts, and cry for no reason.

If these symptoms persist for over 2 weeks, talk to your GP or consult a psychologist.

2) Social withdrawal:

Depression isolates children. Your child may pull away from family and close friends. They avoid gatherings such as parties or hangouts, activities in school, or things they love to do before.

Also, a depressed child has no feeling of excitement or pleasure in daily routine work either at home or while schooling. They remain quiet and unresponsive to any activity.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children. Dropping grades because of depression. Getty images
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children: dropping grades because of depression. Getty Images

3) Dropping grades and interest in studies:

Without putting in an effort, you can identify the problem if your child has a negative performance in academics. A child usually misses school and a time focusing on work when depressed.

In time, resulting in lower self-esteem, confidence, and an increased fear of failure, rejection, falling victim to bullying.

Also, they don’t care or forget to complete assignments and homework.

4) The feeling of being misunderstood:

Normally, children feel they are being misunderstood.

However, depressed children have intense feelings that everyone misunderstood them, so they avoid talking to others or think that there is no point in talking to anyone.

They often like to be alone, reluctant to sit, talk, and hang out with family and friends.

5) Guilt for no reason:

Feeling guilt is a typical symptom of depression. Certainly, depressed children blame themselves for everything they do wrong. Guilt exacerbates their frustration, depression, and inferiority complex.

If the feeling of guilt is severe and the symptoms persist for over two weeks, it is important to consult a psychologist.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. Boy screaming with anger because of depression. Unsplash
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. Boy screaming with anger because of depression. Unsplash

6) Aggression or Impulsiveness:

Some children become irritable during the depression. They vent their anger on someone or something they think is responsible for their condition. This reaction usually occurs regardless of anger and consequences. When angry, these children can harm not only themselves but also others. This reaction can manifest as sudden anger, self-injury, vandalism, beatings, or intimidation.

Child depression and anxiety have various symptoms and causes. Take an eye on your child’s activities and behavior. It helps to find out the issues they are facing.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children, Warning signs of suicidal attempts, Unsplash
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children, Warning signs of suicidal attempts, Unsplash

Suicidal Warnings signs:

Meanwhile, it’s highly recommended to watch your child’s irregular reactions, emotional downs and elevations and if they talk about hopelessness and death frequently. Warning signs may include:

  • Persistent depressive symptoms
  • Changes in appetite, sleep and daily routine
  • Isolation, avoid gatherings,
  • Aggressive or offended behavior
  • Decrease emotional expressions
  • Trying to accidents frequently
  • Frequent crying without reason
  • Feelings of helpless and hopeless
  • Very often talking about death or suicide

Causes of Depression in Children:

The causes of depression in children may vary.

  1. For instance, there are several causes that can contribute to depression in children between the ages of 5 to 18 years. Mental health is based on certain chemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Any type of imbalance of these chemicals and hormones can lead to depression or other mental illnesses.
  2. The home environment, especially parental differences, separation, and negative attitudes, can cause various mental problems and depression.
  3. Similarly, many children feel stress during exams, being rejected and being bullied.
  4. Research has shown that sudden changes, moving, divorce, physical or sexual abuse can also cause depression.
  5. Family history also plays a major role. If one or more family members had depression, the chances are higher that children may also smite from depression during childhood.
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. A psychologist is working with an upset teenage girl at the office.
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. A psychologist is working with an upset teenage girl at the office.

Treatment:

Obviously, it is painful to watch your child in depression. However, mental disorders are as curable as any type of physical illness. Treatment of depression in children may comprise psychotherapy, medication, or counseling.

Untreated depression for a long time can lead to further complications. If children have these symptoms, talk to them and contact a psychologist.

If your child has these symptoms and they persist for six to eight weeks, think about treating them immediately.

Health providers treat depression with psychotherapy and medication. If depression is in its advanced stages, the combination of both psychotherapy and medication works effectively.

Usually, doctors try to treat mild depression with psychotherapy. It helps replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Antidepressant improves serotonin levels in the brain, which reduces the development of negative thoughts.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children, A mother and her daughter having a conversation. Unsplash
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression in children. A mother and her daughter are having a conversation. Unsplash

Prevention:

                        “Prevention is better than cure”

However, a healthy lifestyle prevents various mental and physical illnesses. There are many certain reasons and biological factors that can develop anxiety and depression in childhood and in teen ages.

For instance, parents’ harshness, differences, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, studies, bullying may affect a child’s mental health.

Try these simple steps to keep updated your child’s physical and mental health.

  • Keep a healthy and supportive environment at home and preferably in school.
  • Keep in touch with the child
  • Observe behavioral changes
  • Support in emotional phases
  •  Look at their daily school activities
  • Communicate about their feelings
  • Give them a healthy and nutritious diet
  • Exercise daily

Read More: Tips & Advice on Mental Health For Children

Conclusion:

Studies have shown depression can hit a person or a child at any stage of life. Many parents avoid talking about the mental illnesses of their children because of social stigma.

Mental health is as important as physical health for a person. Visit your health provider if you feel irregular behavior of your children like sadness, aggression, and isolation. May you think the problem is not a matter to deal with, but keep in mind that could be a big concern for your child?

If you feel dazed or unable to find out the issue behind the scenario, consult your physician or phycologist to take medical help.

Remember, children need your love, attention, and safe and healthy surroundings at home and school to grow up as healthy and productive people.

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