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Depression in Children and how to manage it?
A commonly asked question is, can children have depression?
Yes, depression occurs in childhood, but it is different from average (blues), which is everyday sadness and depression. WebMD 23thFeb 2021, it is medically reviewed by Jennifer Casarella.
By Mahmood Hussain, Sunday 27 Sept 2021, the article is written for www.babyfirst.com.pk BABY FIRST PAKISTAN and on Facebook.babyfirstPakistan, and other social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and so on. Writer Mahmood Hussain is from Karachi, Pakistan. Currently, I am in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Staying with my son and his family. They are associated with YALE University.
As defined by US FDA, the pediatric age refers up to 16 years. In broader terms, the categories are sub-divided as a neonate is from birth to 1 month; infants are from one month to 2 years; children referred to as 2 to 12 years, and adolescents are from age as12-16 years.
Depression is primarily a mood disorder resulting from tireless sadness and lack of interest in routine. It is a depressive disorder or clinical depression. It; is resultant in which affects how they feel, think, and behave. It may result in depression, which is a mood disorder. It is a feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how children feel, think and behave. It may lead to various emotional and physical problems. 03 Feb 2018, Mayoclinic.org
The American psychologist D Cicchetti & SL Toth published an article in the year 1998 in psycnet.apa.org with the headline:
Development of depression in children and adolescents.
In the recent era, it has been more focused research work on Child and adolescent depression. Now more attention is paid to the field of its epidemiology, its causes, course, sequelae; it is a pathological condition it results from disease, injury, therapy, or any other trauma that occurred. Sequela refers to the complications of an acute illness.
The depression in childhood is quite different from the usual Blues and daily routine emotions they go through routinely. If the child seems sad, that does not essentially mean that they have significant depression. If the sadness persists or creates hindrance with normal social life/activities, school work, interest in daily routine, and family life, with these conditions, they are suffering from depressive illness.
We have to keep in mind that depression is a severe disease, but at the same time, it is a treatable one. We need to have the patience to follow up with the child and comply with the guidelines provided by the psychiatrist and psychologist.
We need to observe the symptoms of depression within the children; this may vary from individual to individual. Due to it, this often remains undiagnosed, so as it is untreated. This condition may be because the symptom is ignored and considered regular emotional and psychological changes.
In the early days, the medical studies focused on masked depression in this condition child is depressed mood is evident by their angry behavior.
It does appear in the young ones. If we look at that many children, display marked sadness or lower mood, which is similar to the depressed adults. The marked symptom of depression reflects sadness, along with the signs of hopelessness and mood swings.
Now we look out for the:
Signs and symptoms of depression among children.
These are mainly listed below:
Sign of irritability or anger.
A familiar feeling of sadness and loss of hope.
Quite sensitive to rejection.
A pattern of appetite change is recorded, which is either in an increase or decrease.
Social withdrawal.
May see sleep pattern is disturbed either it is sleeplessness or having an excessive sleep.
Outburst patterns are observed or reflected in more crying.
Lack of concentration, fatigue, and energy.
False complaints of stomach ache and headache reported, which do not respond to the treatment.
They have the feel of worthlessness or guilt
Observe in children thoughts of death or suicide
They have trouble during activities or events either at home or spending time with friends, classroom, or while going for extracurricular activities, hobbies, or common interests.
It is observed and recorded that all the children do not have all the symptoms listed above. Most of the children do have different symptoms at different times and in other social settings. Most of the kids are with this and substantial depression. These will reflect noticeable changes during the social loss of interest while attending school, academic performance.
Children surpassing 12 years may also get affected and likely to be exposed to drugs and alcohol.
The suicidal tendency may also observe in depress youths who are having age under 12 years. They do attempt suicide and likely have more chances of it when they are upset or angry. More likely among the girls, they attempt suicide, whereas boys are more likely to kill themselves. Observe more in children having a family history of violence, drug addiction, abuse of alcohol, or physical or sexual abuse.
Mahmood Hussain writes this article for the Baby First website, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and other social and digital media.
