Symptoms
of Depression in Children
When
you are a parent, you will do just about anything to inspire
happiness in your child. From the time your child is born,
you are delighted with your child’s toothless grin
and easy giggles. All emotions, from happiness to anger
to surprise, are a normal part of your child’s existence.
Sadness is normal emotion, too, for your child. However,
if feelings of sadness or unhappiness persist for your child
in a way that you feel is abnormal, you may be witnessing
the symptoms of depression in children.
Even
though it may hurt you to see sadness in your child, sadness
is a typical response to a negative experience such as loss
or rejection. Feelings of unhappiness, however, are not
normal if they are out of proportion with the event, or
if the sadness persists for no apparent reason. Parents
should be aware of the symptoms of depression in children,
just in case they notice those symptoms in their own children
or other children they come into contact with. A list of
the common symptoms of depression in children is similar
to depression in adults, as follows:
- Crying
and feeling helpless or hopeless
- Feelings
of overwhelming sadness, worthlessness, and guilt
- Losing
interest in activities that normally brought pleasure
such as sports, TV, video games, and playing with friends
- Changes
in appetite, whether increased or decreased
- Significant
weight changes
- Inability
to sleep or sleeping too much
- Lack
of energy and low physical activity
- Aggressive
or antisocial behavior
- Suicidal
thoughts and fantasies
- Bad
temper and irritability
- Feelings
of fear and anxiety
- Negative
change in school performance
- Complaints
of physical pain such as stomach aches, headaches, and
muscle aches
Estimates
show that the symptoms of depression in children occur in
1 to 2 percent of children from ages 1 to 6, and up to 12
percent of children from ages 9 through adolescence. The
medical community is not entirely sure exactly what causes
depression, but the symptoms of depression in children may
be linked to negative life experiences, personality traits,
genetics, underactive thyroid, imbalance in neurotransmitters,
and other medical conditions. The symptoms of depression
in children may also be classified into different types
such as major depression, separation anxiety, or adjustment
disorder. Since the symptoms of depression in children can
have life-altering consequences for the child and the family,
depression is a condition that should always be addressed
seriously and immediately.
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