When it comes to depression in a child, it can be a bit difficult to diagnose. However, there are some sure fire methods to help you realize that there’s more beneath the surface. Finding out some of the symptoms early will help you realize any issues that may harbor in your child. Here six major symptoms of childhood depression.
Constantly feeling sad and hopeless
Always monitor your child’s behavior because you never know what they could be going through. Maybe there was a recent death in the family and your kid had a special bond with the relative. Now it seems like your child is acting a bit more lonely and sad. It’s best to give them space but also let them know that you’re there to help. They don’t have to go through the experience alone. This may help them battle this sadness and feelings of hopelessness. Show your support and the feelings will follow.
Not being able to concentrate at school
Sometimes, these feelings of depression make it hard to concentrate. If you notice your kid isn’t doing as well in school and not paying attention in class, this could be a sign he’s depressed. It may be a good thing to send them to a counselor to find out the issue. Kids may not want to directly tell a parent something’s wrong. However, having an adult that’s looked at as more of a friend will certainly help the cause. Also, it’s good having a bit of extra support.
Increased anger due to a traumatic reason
Maybe a traumatic event happened like an accident at home. These things can happen from time to time. Even though they might be responsible, it’s good to let them know accidents happen. If you notice constant lashing out, find a positive way to help them relieve stress. Enter them in martial arts or sports to get that extra feeling out in a positive and productive manner.
Changes in Your Child’s Appetite
If you notice your kid is eating less or more than normal, this could be a big sign of depression. Eating in this manner is a catalyst for obesity or anorexia. It’s important to monitor your kid’s behavior over a few weeks and see what happened to cause this recent eating disorder. Have a talk with your child to discuss what happened recently to get them to put their body back in the right chemistry.
Depression in Children Can Cause Lack of Sleep
Your kid typically needs 8 hours of sleep to perform at the maximum potential. Maybe one of the reasons why your kid isn’t getting enough sleep is due to family issues. At night it might be hard for his mind to settle, so it’s harder to get to sleep. Also, nightmares due to PTSD may be another reason why there’s a lack of sleep. Be sure to help your child get through these issues to make things easier. It instills more trust and gives them the confidence to go through problems later in life.
Thoughts of suicide and death
In more dramatic cases, this may happen in your teens. There are a lot of pressures in life and there could be something inside your kid hasn’t told you. Maybe your kid is constantly getting bullied at school, having trouble making friends, or there are divorce issues that really weigh your kid down. One of the best ways is talking to your child and even getting help so they can go through the problem better.
These are a few solutions to help you make things better for your child.
Darren is a staff writer for the Sovereign Health Group. A 20-year veteran of the newspaper industry. Read More about Depression in teenager .
