Child and depression: symptoms, basic factors and treatment methods
Depression in children is defined as a severe mood disorder that can take away a child's happiness.
It is normal for a child to become moody, and it is also
normal to feel sad after the death of a friend or family member or moving to
another city, but the continuation of these feelings for a long time can be a
sign of depression. This is what we will discuss in detail in this article.
Watch the article to the end.
Depression in children and adults:
Symptoms of
depression in children are very similar to their counterparts in adults, but
the matter in children does not develop into severe depression as it happens
with adults, expression of his suffering varies according to age. In the case
of young children, they may suffer from auditory hallucinations or physical
complaints. In the oldest and those on the verge of adolescence, their behavior
is characterized by indifference in the various matters of life, and their
motor activity is reduced, and they may suffer from delusions or thoughts
revolving around feelings of despair.
A depressed child has many symptoms:
The depressed child
is irritable or angry.
He suffers from
constant feelings of sadness and despair.
He cries quickly.
He is bored most of the time.
He finds no pleasure
in the things he used to enjoy.
He has a state of
irregular sleep, so he finds him suffering from insomnia or sleeping a lot.
Also in terms of weight, we find an increase in weight or a
very clear decrease.
He also finds it
difficult to focus, think and make decisions.
A depressed child may
prefer to spend a lot of time alone.
He also tends to be pessimistic and overthinks death and
suicide for adolescents.
In young children, they can be lethargic and aloof.
They may show little
emotion and appear helpless, as well as finding it difficult to sleep.
Adolescents and school age:
School age children suffer from some symptoms such as
frequent headaches or stomachaches, and may lose interest in activities they
used to love, lose connection with friends, and in some cases that suffer from
severe depression, the sick child may see or hear things that are not there,
which are hallucinations Or it develops into false beliefs and delusions.
The most important factors affecting a child's depression:
The most important are
stressful events, such as the death of a family member, the divorce of parents,
or a change of school and friends.
Taking certain
medications, such as narcotic pain medications.
The genetic aspect also has a role in depression, especially
if there is a family history.
Some psychological factors play an important role in the
injury, such as lack of self-confidence, constant self-criticism, and the
feeling that he is unable to do any task.
Also, those who have
educational problems may have a higher rate of depression than their peers.
A child who is less
mobile or who has a low academic level is more likely to suffer from
depression.
As well as children with some diseases such as diabetes or
epilepsy.
Treating depression in children:
The family and the
surrounding environment play a very, very important role in treating a child
with depression, different from its role in treating depression in adults, and
the treatment options offered in treating adults are consistent with children,
as the treatment includes two parts: the first is psychological and the second
is pharmacological.