How Can You Spot the Signs of Depression in Your Child?

Children and teenagers commonly experience unhappy days as well as the occasional emotionally trying week. However, you should be careful if your child’s feelings of sadness persist and interfere with daily activities such as schoolwork, sports, bonds with friends, and family life. As per the experts in depression treatment in Dubai, it is possible to spot the signs earlier if you have the right knowledge. Read this blog till the end for more details. 

 

 Can Depression Really Occur in Children?

Yes. Unlike the typical "blues" and everyday emotions that children experience as they grow, childhood depression is distinct from these feelings. A child does not always have severe depression just because they seem depressed. But if the melancholy persists or affects daily responsibilities like work, family, or friends, it may be a sign of a depressive disorder. Remember that even though depression is a serious illness, it can be treated.

 

What Signs of Depression Can My Child Have?

There are various signs of childhood depression. Due to symptoms being misdiagnosed as typical emotional and psychological changes, the condition frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Early medical research concentrated on "masked" depression, in which a child's depressed mood was manifested by angry or irrational behavior. While this does occasionally occur, especially in younger children, many kids also show signs of sadness or depression, much like depressed adults. Sadness, a sense of helplessness, and mood swings are the main signs of depression.

 

Children who are depressed often exhibit the following symptoms:

•      Crankiness or anger

•      Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness

•      Social withdrawal

•      Being more sensitive to rejection

•      Changes in appetite, either increased or decreased

•      Changes in sleep (sleeplessness or excessive sleep)

•      Vocal outbursts or crying

•      Trouble concentrating

•      Fatigue and low energy

•      Having issues with activities and events at home, with friends, at school, during extracurriculars, or with other interests or hobbies

•      Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

•      Suicidal or death-related ideas

Are you worried because your child shows one or a few of the symptoms mentioned above? Schedule a quick consultation with LifeWorks mental health clinic and let the specialist examine your child’s emotional well-being.

Please keep in mind, not all kids exhibit all of these signs. While some kids with severe depression might still function reasonably well in structured environments, the majority of them will show a noticeable change in their social lives, lose interest in school, or change in appearance. A child may start using drugs or alcohol as well, especially if they are older than 12 years old. So, it’s very important for parents to notice the obvious signs and seek depression treatment in Dubai.

Although relatively rare in youths under 12, young children do attempt suicide — and may do so impulsively when they are upset or angry. Children who have depressive symptoms as well as those with a family history of violence, alcoholism, or physical or sexual abuse are more likely to commit suicide. If you can relate to the mentioned scenarios, it’s high time you run an online search: “where can I find a good mental health therapist near me”. If you stay in Dubai and have the same doubt, LifeWorks will be your best option.

What Leads to Childhood Depression?

Many factors that cause depression in adults also cause it in children, who typically experience it after a tumultuous life event. This could be in young children and teenagers:

•     Being abused by classmates

•     Conflict with friends or breakups in relationships

•     Trauma, whether mental or physical

•     Unjust treatment

•     Issues at school

•     Parental conflict

In some circumstances, on the other hand, the following elements may raise a child's risk of depression:

•     A history of depression in the family

•     Previous depressive episodes

•     Negative reactions or inadequate coping mechanisms

•     Traumatized early childhood (such as abuse, neglect, or loss of a close friend or family member)

•     Chronic illness

How you can assist your child?

By being aware of your child's emotional state, you as a parent can be of assistance. Every teen can experience periods of parental withdrawal, but when a child is depressed, this tendency might be more pronounced. Engage with your child, find out how they are doing, and what they are feeling so you can be alert to changes. Even if you find it difficult to communicate with your child, you can seek help from a mental health clinic.

The therapists at Lifeworks will speak with your child to determine the seriousness of the situation. For some kids and teenagers, speaking with an objective professional can help identify the problem's source and provide a solution. The situation might be improved with just a few of these discussions. Teenagers may require ongoing therapy sessions or medication therapy if the concerns and symptoms cannot be resolved with the help of these initial discussions.

Conclusion

Successful treatment of depression requires quick, timely intervention and support. It's important to avoid ignoring your child's persistent sadness by assuming it will go away on its own or that it will eventually "get over" it.

As per Lifeworks mental health clinic, depression is a medical condition. The experts never advise parents to ignore their child's diabetes. Similarly to this, parents must treat depression seriously and find their children the right support. For more information on depression and its treatment, visit www.lifeworks.ae. 

 

LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Centre - Mental Health Clinic Dubai
1230 Umm Sequim 2, Al Wasl Road, Bahwan Villas, PO Box 215054, Dubai, UAE
971 54 400 2698