Child depression has been an overlooked problem because there are so many myths that surround it. It is surprising to note that most adults have no idea that children can also suffer from depression. Actually, more myths surround child depression than adult depression and it is not uncommon to see such myths finding credence even with those who deal with kids in the course of their professional work.
Adults somehow fail to appreciate the pressures that children face in the modern society. The fact that most of us do not understand what teen depression is all about adds to preconceived notions about childhood. People believe that childhood is still a carefree time and devoid of worries and pressures. In fact, children have no means of exercising control over their lives.
Teens are prone to weave a complicated web around their thinking process. Most of the perceptions come from fallacious ideas of self and others rather than reality. When teens are faced with pressures it can be a very turbulent period in their lives. And there is a genuine threat that such pressures can lead to clinical depression.
Clinical depression is not periodical emotional dips that almost every one of us feels now and then. Although it is the same set of feelings, it is more permeating, more lasting and can even be life threatening. Teen depression is of much greater significance since it has been empirically observed that people who are depressed as teens grow to become depressed adults too. The roots of adult depression are in the critical phases of child development.
Child depression can manifest as behaviors and feelings that adults normally do not associate with it. It is easy to misinterpret a genuine depression as the normal process of growing up. However, parents and the society as a whole needs to be aware of the possibility of child or teen depression since it is a serious problem that is fast increasing.
The evolution of the modern society has been too lop-sided and the buffers provided by traditional cultural setups have long been discarded on our way to modernization.
If child depression is not treated it can affect learning abilities, development of normal relationships with equals as well as with elders, self-esteem and acquisition of skills. It can negatively impact parent-child relationship, which is imperative for child development. The absence of a firm bond and trust with parents can lead to substance abuse, disruptive behaviors, violence and aggression and even suicide.
Even minor episodes of depressive behavior should be addressed early and with care. This is because the disorder may take on worse manifestations like high rate of suicide, work impairment and social isolation over a period of time if not controlled early.
The most important aspect of providing teen depression help is to recognize the symptoms of teen depression. More often than not, parents tend to ignore disruptive behaviors in the classroom or other such behaviors due to a misplaced negative association with depression. The ground realities are actually different.
In many instances, teenage depression occurs due to the perceived fears of the teen and is a result of misplaced worries. These are easily treated with parental and community support. Treatment of such mild depression only requires building a relationship of mutual understanding and trust with the child through patient listening and assurance that help is at hand.
Companion Remedies for Child Anxiety, Depression
* MindSootheJr – Promotes emotional and psychological health and balanced mood in children
* SereniteJr. – Promotes healthy sleep patterns and peaceful nights, even for teething babies.
* PureCalm – Aids nervous system in stress resistance for balanced moods and feelings of well being
* Five Funny Critters – for children aged 5-7, these five stories use metaphors and animal characters in a folktale style to address the issues of fear, change, sleep, school, and interacting with others.
* Moms Magic Trauma Sprinkles – Promotes comfort in children with distress due to shock, trauma and general upset.
* K-OK Kiddie Calmer – Helps reduce nervous exhaustion, specific fears and phobias in anxious children.
* Sammy the Elephant – Help your child overcome bedwetting, simply by relaxing with a delightful bedtime story.
* Be-Dry for Bedwetting – Promotes bladder health to help reduce bedwetting.
* Bad Dream Sprinkles – Aids in the prevention and management of night terrors and nightmares in children.
* Tula Tantrum Tamer – Helps reduce tantrums, soothe fiery tempers and reduce frustration in young children.
References:
http://www.wingofmadness.com/index.php/Articles/Children-and-Depression.html
http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/issues/factdepression.html
http://mhawestchester.org/diagnosechild/cdepress.asp
http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=The+Depressed+Child§ion=Facts+for+Families
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions/depression.html
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/children.asp
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