7 expert tips on how you can help your depressed child

Wondering how to reach out to your child dealing with depression? Dr. Shazneen Limzerwala suggests 7 things parents should do to deal with their child’s depression.

By: Palak Juneja | | Updated: June 2, 2016 11:01 am

Is your child a victim of depression? Does she time and again feel sad, anxious or depressed? Often there arises a situation where a child is bound by the shackles of depression and rather than being able to deal with it properly, parents tend to freak out and panic. Dr. Shazneen Limzerwala, psychotherapist suggests 7 things parents can do to deal with their child’s depression.

Before proceeding, you must identify these signs to be sure if your child is actually depressed. Don’t panic and don’t bombard questions on your child. Deal with it patiently. Give your child some time and try to understand the cause of depression. Read how you can help your child if she is depressed.

Parents should not take it casually but discuss it openly and the best way to deal with depression is to talk it out with their child. Take her out for a vacation or watch some movies or TV series with her. Tell her about your life and make her feel confident enough to share her cause of worry with you.
Try to create circumstances where your child can re-establish the faith in her thereby providing an ability to bounce back. Invite her friends over to your place and try to create moments where she can go back in time and live all the moments again when she was happy and content.
Encourage your child to go and take pleasure in social events but do not force or compel her to engage in enjoyable activities with friends or family. Make sure you take her to places where she is willing to go herself. Don’t drag her to parties where you think she will enjoy.
Try to stay around your child more than you do usually. Involve yourself more with her but do not invade her personal space and give your children their privacy. Make a mark and do not enter that area which she keeps reserved and don’t force her to discover that part of herself forcefully.
If your child opens up with you, try and discuss how the issue or cause of depression can be addressed. Build trust in her, don’t scold her about anything that she tells you. Give her all your ears. Talk to her as much as possible so that she opens up with you. Also go through these 8 ways to prevent depression.
Try to give your child sufficient support and guidance either personally or through a professional counselor. Do not approach a psychologist or counselor unless you give up and you are sure that you cannot help her.
Even if after all your attempts, your child’s depression is persistent and she continues manifesting signs of deterioration, then consult a counselor or psychologist before it gets too late and depression starts affecting your child more. Read to know when you should see a doctor for your depression.

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Published : June 1, 2016 6:15 pm | Updated:June 2, 2016 11:01 am

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