Is your child always sad? This is about depression in children.

Is your child not the same as before? Is he always sad or angry? It's normal for young children to feel sad and upset sometimes. It's a part of growing up. But if this sadness persists, if it affects his daily activities, schoolwork, and relationships with friends, it may be more than just normal sadness. That's what we call depression. Although this is a serious condition, the best thing is that it can be treated successfully.

Can a child really develop depression?

Yes, absolutely. Children can get depression just like adults. However, depression in children can manifest itself a little differently than depression in adults. Just because a child is sad doesn't mean they have depression. But as we said before, it's the persistence of this sadness and its disruption to the child's normal life that we need to be concerned about.

Early medical studies thought that children's depression was only manifested by their angry or mischievous behavior. That's true, especially in young children. However, many children, just like adults with depression, can also be sad and hopeless.

How do I know if my child has depression?

The symptoms of depression in children vary from person to person. Sometimes, parents think that these are normal emotional changes related to the child's age, which is why the disease often goes undiagnosed. Below are some common symptoms of depression in children.

Many children with significant depression will show a marked change in social functioning , loss of interest in school, poor academic performance, or a change in appearance. Children, especially those over the age of 12, may also turn to drug or alcohol use.

What kind of children are most likely to develop depression?

According to studies, depression affects about 3% of children and 8% of adolescents. Surprisingly, it is more common among boys under the age of 10. However, there is a trend towards depression becoming more common among girls by the age of 16 .

Additionally, conditions like bipolar disorder are more common in younger children than in older children. But when a child does develop bipolar disorder, it can be more severe. Sometimes, the condition can co-occur with or be masked by other mental health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), or OCD.

What causes depression in children?

Just like adults, there is no single cause for depression in children. It can be caused by a combination of factors.

• Family history and genetic vulnerability: If someone in the family has depression, the child is also at higher risk.
• Life Events: Things like the death of a family member, parents getting divorced, changing schools, and being bullied can have an impact.
• Environment: Children who grow up in conflict-ridden, chaotic family environments are at greater risk.
• Physical health: Other illnesses can also cause depression.
• Biochemical Disturbance: Imbalances in the neurotransmitters in the brain.

How is depression diagnosed?

If your child has any of the above symptoms for more than two weeks , see your doctor without delay. This will help rule out any underlying physical causes and provide the child with the appropriate treatment. It is also important to seek the advice of a mental health professional who specializes in children.

When making a diagnosis, the doctor will talk to you (the parent) and your child separately. If necessary, they will also conduct some psychological tests. Information from the child's teachers and friends will also help to determine whether these symptoms are consistent across time and whether they are a clear change from the child's previous behavior.

Although there is no specific test that can immediately show the presence of depression, tools such as questionnaires given to the child and parents can be very helpful in diagnosing the disease.

What treatment options are there?

Treatment options for depression in children are similar to those for adults. There are two main types: psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication.

Often, doctors will first recommend psychotherapy and then consider medication if that doesn't work. Recent studies show that a combination of both psychotherapy and medication is the most effective.

The drug Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, has been approved by the FDA to treat depression in children aged 8-18 years.

Important: Be careful with medications

Many medications for depression carry a black box warning about a small risk of increased suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is essential that these medications are started and used under the close supervision of a trained physician. Talk openly with your doctor about the risks and benefits for your child. It is very important to maintain regular contact with your doctor and counselor while taking the medication.

Suicide risk: Warning signs parents should know

Although this is a very sensitive topic, it is essential that we as parents remain aware of this. Be especially vigilant about these signs to identify if your child is at risk of suicide.

If you suspect your child is depressed, listen to their concerns. Even if you think the problem is not a big deal, remember that it could be a big deal to your child. Even if your child tries to distance themselves, keep the lines of communication open. Instead of giving your child orders to "do this," listen carefully. This will help you understand the cause of the problem. If you are unable to help your child on your own, seek professional help immediately.

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