Child Shows Signs Of Depression
Children who are depressed will find difficulty to concentrate on their schoolwork or other responsibilities. Your child may loose sleep, or begin to sleep too much. Their appetite will either increase or decrease dramatically. The same occurs in their level of activity.
The most important thing as a parent can do to help your child battle depression is to be aware of the risk their child faces and knowledgeable about the symptoms they might see in their children. Children who are depressed will have persistent feelings of sadness or be constantly irritable. They will often express or exhibit a low self-image.
Depressed children often exhibit physical symptoms, such as a persistent stomachache or headache that seems to have no trigger. Other changes in the child’s normal routine or behavior can be signs of depression. While the depression may be triggered by an obvious event, such as the death of a relative or sudden move, if the symptoms persist for an extended period of time, it becomes dangerous.
If your child shows signs of depression, the best thing to do is to call a professional immediately. This professional can either be your family doctor or even a school counselor. If these people do not have experience working with depressed children, then they can recommend another professional who does have experience. Medications and aggressive therapy may be suggested treatments for your depressed child, but it will be worth it in the long run. Getting involved in your child’s life is the best thing a parent can do in order to contribute to a happy childhood.
Last modified May 2, 2008Author 2313 > has blogged 8 times
