Is Your Child Suffering From Childhood Depression
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 23:43
- Depression & Stress, Health Care
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Depression is one of the most unpredictable and complicated disorders that can strike anyone at any point of time in life irrespective of one’s age, occupation or status. But one of the most startling revelations surrounding depression throws light on the fact that it does not even spare infants and children who are as likely to develop depression as adults.
Childhood depression was first highlighted by Spitz in 1946 who called it Anaclitic Depression. It was thought to occur in infants and kids who were separated from their mothers for a long period of time.
Beware of the symptoms of Childhood Depression:
A child suffering from this disorder often shows signs of slow mental and physical development, grief, excessive crying and apathy. Modern day research also establishes that around 0.4 – 2.5% children and 4.0 – 8.3% teenagers are affected by Major Depressive Disorder. Of these, almost 7.1% adolescents have attempted suicide.
Your kid might be suffering from childhood depression if you suddenly notice that his/her grades are falling in school and he/she is constantly trying to avoid you as well as others.
Children affected by this disorder often take to extreme withdrawal and avoid making eye contact whenever questioned about something and might cry without any reason.
They also show signs of reduced appetite, aggressive behavior, disobedience and extreme irritability. If the disorder is left unchecked, your child might even attempt suicide.
How to cope with Childhood Depression?
The first and foremost thing is to be empathetic towards your child and avoid scolding or punishing him/her for not performing in school. You need to get to the root of the problem therefore, it is best for you to consult an experienced psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker in this regard. Keep your child’s teachers and other school authorities updated and seek their help whenever required.
Spend as much time as you can with your child. Neglected children are at the highest risk of succumbing to depression. Never blame your child for any of your problems such as the loss o a job or divorce.
Try enrolling along with your kid in a self-help program for managing depression and do not make your kid feel as if he/she has done something wrong. Talk with your child as often as you can.
Even, if you are too worked up in office, you need to take out time and make a call. This will keep you in contact with your child and will also help strengthen your relationship.
While the pharmaceuticals industry might boast of having developed all sorts of anti-depressants, it is extremely unwise to use these drugs for treating children. This is because they have a number of side effects and can also be highly addictive.
Alternatively, you can consult a good herbalist and try out some natural remedies in the form of herbal teas and infusions for combating childhood depression. Some of the most well-known herbs that can be used for treating this disorder are Chamomile, Valerian and Ginseng.
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