Is your child depressed?

Depression is often considered as an illness of the adult. However, the ailment doesn't have any particular age and can affect almost anyone and everyone. So, how to know if your child is depressed? Here are ways to find out.

Written By: Aishwarya Iyer | Updated : August 31, 2018 1:46 PM IST

Depression does seem like the problem of the adults since elders have a lot of things to worry about. But what we haven't been able to understand fully is that depression isn't about being weak or mature or immature but it is about your inner self.

Simply put, depression, also called clinical depression or major depressive disorder is more than just "feeling down" or "having the blues". It is a feeling of persistent and pervasive sadness, which affects how you think, feel, and act. "It can impact one's health seriously, increasing the chances of other emotional or physical problems and affects other areas of life like career, family and relationships," said Dr Vinit Gada (PT), Founder of Switch-India.

Children can also be depressed

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Most parents believe that their children cannot suffer from depression since kids don't have any apparent stress. But as parents, you must know that children suffer from stress which, on most occasions they tell us too. Here are some signs to know that your child is suffering from depression:

Constant irritability or anger.
Social withdrawal.
Constant fatigue.
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
Constant feeling of sadness or hopelessness.
Sudden change in appetite: Increased or decreased.
Changes in sleep patterns: sleeplessness or excessive sleep.
Increased sensitivity to rejection.
Outbursts in terms of crying.
Difficulty in concentration.

Parents: What you should know?

Never tell your child or make him/her feel that depression is a sign of weakness- it is NOT. Neither your child nor you can really do anything about an illness like this.
However, you can be proactive about their health and equally concerned too, but never make it all seem like a burden on you.
Treatment options for childhood depression is also available. Childhood depression, like is the case with any other kind of depression is also available. Behavioural therapy, talk therapy etc is also available for kids, apart from clinical medicines.
Talk to your children. As kids, they will often just tell you what they feel or may completely resist telling you about it. Make sure that you notice mood changes, irritability and other signs and hence, are able to track their condition too.
The symptoms of depression among kids may not be as apparent as it is in adults. They have different symptoms- and many of them can even be physical pain like stomachaches and so on. So, never ignore what your little bundle of joy is telling you.

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