When they notice warning signs of their children’s behavior or after receiving an official diagnosis, parents may wonder: How can I help my child with depression?We’ll talk a little bit about that in this article.
Children may experience depression, like adults, it is perfectly normal for them to tell us or show us that they feel sad, unhappy, irritable or discouraged for a short period of time, and it is very different from having this disorder. It is necessary to distinguish between the expression of negative emotions and the presence of pathologies.
- So when negative emotions remain in a child’s life.
- Gradually flooding and interfering with different aspects of their life.
- Such as their school performance or family life.
- It can point to the presence of this disorder.
- Is there anything we can do as parents to help them in this situation?Is the answer yes?.
“One of the best things that can happen in your life is having a happy childhood. -Agatha Christie-
Before starting medication treatments, you should first know if this is really the child’s problem, so it’s good to keep an eye out for a number of signs that can indicate depression, yet you’ll always need to rely on diagnosis. of a professional.
Signs to consider are: irritable or depressed mood, trouble driving or discipline, loss of interest or pleasure, low self-esteem, social isolation, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, feelings of futility and despair.
They are also alarm symptoms: change of appetite, frequent crying, sleep disturbances (both for lack and excess), physical complaints, fatigue, weight gain or loss, behaviors aimed at hurting themselves, growth and weight not adapted to the age and development of the child and, finally, talk or attempt suicide.
It is necessary to consider that these circumstances may also be associated with other problems or disorders, which can make it difficult for parents to define whether it is depression or something else, which is clear that they point out that both the child and the parents need help?Ask for it and go to a suitable psychologist!
“I can’t think of any childish need as strong as the need for parent protection. “Sigmund Freud.
In addition to professional help, it is important that as parents we can contribute our grain of sand and help our own child. For starters, if our little one has low self-esteem and tends to criticize himself, we can congratulate him and reinforce the positive But, honestly!In addition, we can fully question you about these negative criticisms of yourself, as well as inform the negative thoughts you express.
Guilt usually appears in depression. When this happens, we must help you distinguish between what you can control and what you can’t. If helplessness or despair appears, we may suggest that you write or talk about your feelings, as well as write pleasant thoughts 3 or 4 times a day. At first it will be difficult, but it is an exercise that will help you increase your positive affection.
“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. – Tom Robbins-
If we identify that there is a loss of interest and sadness, we can prepare an interesting activity for the day, in the same spirit it is also advisable to plan special events and comment on family friendly topics, in fact, family planning is very relevant in all this. Having stability in this area will help us considerably, what do I mean?Maintain a routine and reduce changes in family matters, talk about it in advance to try to reduce concerns.
If you notice thoughts or signs related to suicide, you should consult a professional as soon as possible, in short, it is important to support the child as much as possible and help him in the best possible way. Your sadness and negative thoughts, are also important.
Images courtesy of Annie Spratt and London Scout.