Can kids have depression / anxiety? Yes! Children may insist that they’re not experiencing any mental problems, and parents often ignore a child’s rage as part of their ‘growth phase’. However, persistent irritable behavior can be a sign of childhood depression / anxiety. Moreover, this condition can be worsened if you neglect your kid’s mental health.
What is childhood depression / anxiety?
Childhood depression is different from normal ‘sad’ emotions. If your child’s sadness becomes persistent, interferes with daily activities, family life, or schoolwork, it may indicate that she/he has an issue.
Parents must pay attention to their kid’s emotions. Your children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. However, anxiety can be a problem when it starts to get in the way of daily life. For example, a child becomes so anxious on exam day that he/she cannot manage to go to school that day.
The main causes of depression in children:
Depression in childhood does not have a single cause. However, the significant causes of depression in children are:
- Parental conflicts
- Parental neglect
- Divorce
- Family disputes
- Verbal, sexual or physical abuse
- Social violence / bullying in school
- Genetic issues
- Financial issues
Common symptoms of depression include:
- Depressed mood, crying / feeling angry often
- Lack of energy
- Loss of pleasure in favorite activities
- Excessive sleeping or insomnia
- Feelings of guilt / shame
- Inability to make decisions
- Thoughts of death / suicide
- Changes in eating
A treatment plan depends upon the individual nature and severity of your child’s condition. Counseling and social support are considered the best option to reduce depression / anxiety.
Depression / anxiety can have a severe impact on physical, mental, and social well-being for everyone, including kids. It’s essential to keep an eye for warning signs in your child’s behavior. Parents should be willing to know what their child is feeling and be careful to remain non-judgmental and supportive. Early attention to a child’s behavior can reverse severe disorders of anxiety and depression in the future.
For more info. on counseling, call (516) 592-1107 or email Chana Pfeifer, LCSW today.
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Next thing we’re going to do is Lion’s Breath. Lion’s Breath is a powerful technique which helps release pent up energy, including stress, anxiety and anger. See if you can do it along with me…