Introduction

Depression is a disorder of a person’s moods or emotions—not an attitude that someone can “control” or “snap out of.” It may lead to issues including difficulty concentrating in class, interpersonal issues, and diminished pleasure of life. Suicide, one of the main causes of mortality , can result from depression at its worst. However, it is curable with psychotherapy and/or medication, which is why it’s especially crucial for parents and caregivers to become knowledgeable about the illness.

Symptoms

Because the condition can manifest relatively differently from that in adults, adults can fail to notice the signs of depression in adolescents. A child suffering from depression may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:

• Depressed or sad mood
• a sense of worthlessness or despair
• loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• withdrawal from family and friends
• Crying
• inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Even after therapy, aches and pains persist Irritability
• Despite having adequate rest, you still feel fatigued
• inability to pay attention
• Suicidal ideas, or attempts

Types of Teen Depression

Major depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is characterized by a variety of symptoms that make it difficult for a person to function normally, including working, sleeping, studying, eating, and engaging in once-pleasurable activities. A person with severe depression is unable to do daily tasks. A major depressive episode may only happen once in a person’s lifetime, but more frequently, it recurs over the course of their lives.

Dysthymic disorder, also known as dysthymia, is characterized by long-lasting but milder symptoms that might hinder a person from working normally or feeling well. Major depressive episodes may occur one or more times in a person’s lifetime who has dysthymia.

 Causes

Depression is assumed to have a wide range of causes. There are probably numerous factors that influence whether someone gets depression or not, and these considerations apply equally to children.

• an upsetting occurrence in one’s life, such as the death of a loved one or a pet, a divorce, or a remarriage. A vulnerable person may become depressed as a result of any distressing or traumatic incident, or even as a result of a significant change in lifestyle.
• Family and social conditions. Unfortunately, some teenagers endure challenging living conditions. Teenagers may experience stress and despair as a result of family problems such domestic violence, substance misuse, poverty, or other family problems.
• Genetics/biology. It has been discovered that depression has a hereditary foundation and that it runs in families. However, keep in mind that kids without a family history of depression might still get the problem.
• ailment conditions. Sometimes the signs of depression might also be indicators of other diseases or illnesses, such as hypothyroidism.
• medicines/illegal substances. Depression may be a side effect of several pharmaceutical drugs that are legal and legitimate. Street drugs and other illicit substances may also contribute to depression.

Diagnosis

A primary care physician is most frequently the one to identify depression in child.

A physical examination, which could involve blood testing, is frequently the first step a doctor takes if teen depression is suspected. The doctor of your adolescent will want to rule out any further medical conditions that could be causing or exacerbating symptoms. Primary care physician will recommend a Child Counselor to treat your child properly.

Treatment

• educating child and family member about various treatment options
• creating a treatment strategy with precise objectives for how the patient will operate at home and at school
• collaborating with community resources for mental health
• establishing a safety plan with actions to be performed in the event that the teen’s symptoms worsen or that they have suicide thoughts
• Before starting further therapies, take monitoring into consideration.
• If symptoms are moderate or severe, seeking out a mental health professional like a Child Counselor is advised.
• utilizing proven methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and antidepressants
• While taking antidepressants, it is important to keep an eye on symptoms and functioning.
• Doctors and family members should keep an eye out for any indicators of increasing symptoms as well as any suicidal thoughts or acts.

Coping

Discuss your worries with your child. They could be acting in a particular ways for a specific reason. By keeping the lines of communication open, you may show your adolescent that you are concerned about them and that you are willing to listen to their concerns and offer assistance.

Other methods that might assist your kid in managing their depressive symptoms include:

• discussing worries with family and friends
• having a strong support network
• Using effective stress-reduction methods
• consuming a balanced diet
• Regularly exercising
• discovering new things to anticipate
• joining an offline or online support group

 Conclusion

Finally, never dismiss depression’s warning signals or symptoms. For both you and your child, there is treatment available for treating depression. If depression is not addressed, it may result in suicidal thoughts or even actual suicide.

If you are looking for “Child Psychologist near Me” you can choose Talk to Angel, they have highly qualified and experienced child counselors that can help in elimination of depression from your child and they also help in overall well being of the child.