Is your child always sad or angry? Could it be depression?

As a parent, you may be familiar with these things. Your child may feel a little different. They don't smile or play as much as they used to, and they just get cranky. You may think, "This is just another prank." But if this behavior persists for more than two weeks, it may not be normal sadness or anger, but rather the beginning of a condition called depression. Let's talk about this in more detail .

Simply put, what is this depression that children develop?

Depression in children is a mood disorder that can cause a child to feel sad, angry, or hopeless all the time.

Just think, our children also feel sad and angry from time to time. It's normal to feel that way when their exam scores are low or when they're angry with a friend. But that sadness subsides after a while, in a day or two. They get back to normal.

But depression is a different story. A child with depression feels sad, angry, or hopeless for more than two weeks . This can affect a child’s sleep, appetite, and relationships with friends and family. They may no longer enjoy activities, schoolwork, or hobbies that they once enjoyed. In severe cases, this condition can even lead to suicidal thoughts.

Are there different types of depression that affect children?

Yes, there are several main types of depression that affect children. They are all slightly different from each other. To make this information easier for you to understand, let's put it in a table like this.

How common is this condition among children?

According to statistics, about 3% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have depression. That means about 3 out of 100 children are affected by this condition. It is more common in teenagers than in younger children. About 1 in 5 young children have been diagnosed with major depression. This is only the officially diagnosed number. The number of children who are undiagnosed may be much higher.

Also, the risk of depression is even higher among children with other illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, and chronic pain.

If I suspect my child has depression, what symptoms should I look for?

Depression in children can look different than depression in adults. And the symptoms can vary from one child to another. Here are the main symptoms you should look out for:

• Mood changes: The child is more sad or angry than usual. This state lasts for most of the day.
• Lack of interest in fun activities: You used to enjoy playing, drawing, and talking to friends, but now you have no interest in any of those things.
• Low energy and constant fatigue: Feeling like you can't do anything, always feeling tired.
• Talking negatively about oneself: Saying things like "I can't do anything," "I'm useless." Very low self-esteem.
• Changes in eating habits: Eating more than usual, or eating much less.
• Sleep changes: Not sleeping at night, or sleeping more during the day.

Why do children experience such depression?

According to experts, there is no single specific cause of depression in children, but they believe that it is mainly a combination of factors.

• Genetic and family history: If a close family member (mother, father, siblings) has depression, the child is at higher risk of developing it too.
• Physical illness or accident: Long-term illness or serious accident.
• Stressful life events: parental separation, death of a family member, moving house, changing schools, etc.
• Drug use: Drug use among young children can also be a cause of this.
• Bullying or traumatic experiences: Physical or psychological harassment at school or elsewhere.

How is depression accurately diagnosed?

If you have any concerns about your child, the first thing to do is to visit your child's pediatrician. The doctor will first examine your child to see if there are any other physical conditions that could be causing these symptoms, as some illnesses can have similar symptoms to depression.

For example:

• Anemia
• Thyroid problems (Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy

If it is confirmed that there is no physical cause, the doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

There, the specialist will talk to you and your child separately and take details. He will ask about the child's behavior, mood, and feelings. He may also get information from the child's teachers. All of this is done to provide the most accurate diagnosis.

What are the treatments for depression?

There are two main methods used to treat depression in children. These are talk therapy and medication. Sometimes one of these methods is sufficient, but often the best results are achieved when both methods are used together.

1. Talk Therapy

This is often done using a method called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . Simply put, it helps the child identify negative thought patterns and change them to positive ones. Through this, the child learns things like how to deal with problems, how to control anger, and how to relax.

2. Medications

The most commonly used class of drugs for depression in children is SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) . These drugs increase the levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain associated with happiness and well-being. Examples of these drugs include Fluoxetine and Sertraline.

Important: These medications should only be administered on the recommendation of a specialist.

Do you also need to be aware of the side effects of medications?

Yes, like any medication, this can cause side effects. If you experience the following symptoms, inform your doctor immediately:

• Allergic reaction
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing
• Severe fever
• Sudden changes in vision
• Suicidal thoughts or worsening depression

Some minor side effects, such as loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, and stomach upset, may occur and go away in the first few weeks. However, it is a good idea to inform your doctor about these as well.

How can I, as a parent, help my child?

The most important thing you can do at this time is to listen to your child and make them feel that they have your support.

• Talk: As soon as you notice a change in your child's mood, ask questions. Ask them lovingly, "How are you feeling?", "Is something wrong?"
• Be patient: Treatment may not start immediately. It can take 4-6 weeks for the medication to work. The child also needs time to build trust with the therapist.
• Keep a notebook: Write down your child's sleep, eating patterns, energy levels, side effects of medications, and changes in behavior in a notebook every day. Taking this notebook with you to see the doctor will be very helpful during treatment.
• Create a good environment: Create a safe, supportive environment at home for your child. Encourage daily exercise, a nutritious diet, and adequate sleep.
• Act in an emergency: If your child talks about harming themselves or tries to do so, immediately take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

This can be a difficult time for you too. You may feel guilty and helpless. But remember, this is not your fault. With the right treatment and your love and support, your child can fully recover from this situation.

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