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Depression in children

How you can help your child manage symptoms and improve the quality of their life

As much as it is typically considered a condition that only impacts adults, Depression is a mental health issue that is unfortunately also affecting an increasing number of children.
According to recent studies, as many as 3.2% of children aged between 3 and 17 suffer from Depression.
It has been demonstrated that early onset Depression is eminently treatable in young children by children’s therapy. But if it is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can often recur throughout adult life.

Signs and symptoms of Depression in your child

Depression is more than just feeling sad (although prolonged sadness can, of course, be a symptom). But it does not confirm a case of Depression in and of itself.
There are other factors that come into play and these also need to be considered. Depression in children can affect multiple aspects of their mood and behaviour. It’s actually not uncommon for young children to complain of physical symptoms instead of emotional distress.
They might also have a deep-seated fear of abandonment, develop behavioural problems and generally display signs of restlessness and agitation.
Here are some of the most common signs to look at for if you are concerned your child may be depressed:

  • Loss of interest in activities that were once their favourite pastimes.
  • Withdrawal from social situations and regular family activity.
  • A distinct lack of motivation in anything they are asked to do.
  • Changes in sleeping patterns – either too much or too little.
  • Trying to run away from home or in social situations.
  • Either having thoughts of or talking about death/suicide.
  • Feelings of hopelessness/sadness/apathy.
  • Low self-esteem/confidence and negative self-talk.
  • Difficulty concentrating in school and/or in social situations
  • Use of alcohol and drugs (in teenagers)
How you can help your child reduce stress

Stress has long been linked with the onset of both Anxiety and Depression. And those who are already susceptible to Depression may find themselves at higher risk if they are experiencing stress.
While it’s not always possible to reduce stress down to zero, the following actions can help:

  • Ensuring your child gets enough good quality sleep
  • Choose a more relaxed parenting style and remember the need to be person-centred.
  • Encourage them to pursue more activities that make them happy.
  • Encourage them to get regular exercise.
Help your child improve the quality of their diet

 

A healthy diet is an often overlooked cornerstone of alleviating Depression without the use of medications or extensive children’s therapy.

Treatment

A formal type of children’s therapy treatment plan will often include a combination of psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and in some cases medication. This is important to help children understand they’re not being punished; they’re no worse than anyone else, and that Depression can happen to anyone.
The most common forms of psychotherapy used may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), support counselling, and interpersonal therapy.
There may also be a need for family therapy where individual parenting styles and other domestic issues might be the cause of your child’s Depression. An effective treatment strategy for your child will involve both yourself and your child, along with your therapist. In some situations it is useful and supportive to work closely with your family doctor and your child’s school.
Depressive disorders can often have a huge effect on families, so it’s important that all those involved in your child’s recovery be as well informed and educated as they can be about the situation.

CBT; What it is and how it works

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; what it is and how it helps you reduce and manage symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Cognitive behavioral therapy (also referred to as CBT), is an effective form of psychological treatment that has proven to be effective for a broad range of issues including Depression, Anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug abuse issues, relationship problems, eating disorders, and other severe mental illnesses.
Research suggests that CBT contributes to significant improvements in individual functioning and as a consequence, quality of life. Numerous studies definitively show that CBT has been proven to be as effective as, or even more effective than, other commonly used forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric pharmaceutical medications.
Advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both international research and clinical practice. There is substantial scientific evidence that the methods employed by CBT actually produce positive change, especially when used in children’s therapy. For this reason, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment.

CBT is based on several core principles, including:

  1. Psychological problems are based, in part, on flawed or unhelpful ways of thinking.
  2. Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
  3. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them. This can result in both relief from their symptoms, but strategies with which to lead happier and more effective lives.

How does Cognitive Behaviour Therapy work?

A critical aspect of CBT is learning ways to firstly identify and then break cycles in the thinking and behaviour that maintains a state of Anxiety or Depression.
During therapy, we look at how to break those cycles. We look at the patterns around what people think, how they behave as a result, and how that impacts their emotions.
In very severe cases, this can even affect physical responses (for example, an inability to get out of bed – which is very common for people experiencing depression).
We will help you understand the thinking patterns that keep the problem going and we will provide new tools and strategies to break this debilitating cycle.

Contact Kinga today to find our how children’s therapy can help your child overcome depression.