How Can Parents Identify Depression in Their Children?

Kids are in a way adults repackaged into a new and smaller human form. They have very simple needs yet they are complex minds. They can start displaying characteristics of adults at a very young age, which are not always positive characteristics. Anxiety or depression were once linked only to adults however we now know that to be not true. Anxiety and depression can affect children too and we need to be aware of the tell tale signs so that prevention or cure can be the strategy.

What is depression?

There are many definitions and descriptions available, in simple terms it is a mental disorder which requires proper medical care. It can affect anyone and is more prolonged and intense than just an occasional bout of bad mood.

It is something that should not be ignored and seeking help from doctors is necessary as left unchecked it can lead to serious problems such as suicidal tendencies. An article in the National Library of Medicine states "Most suicides are related to psychiatric disease, with depression, substance use disorders and psychosis being the most relevant risk factors".

How to recognize depression in kids?

A Pew Research Center article titled 'Parenting in America Today' states that 4 out of 10 US parents with children of age less than 18 years are extremely or very worried that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression at some point.

WebMD clearly calls out that childhood depression is very different from the everyday "blues" that most kids get as they grow. The article further adds that "childhood depression is persistent sadness". So what are the other symptoms?

Changes in appetite or sleep, persistent feeling of sadness or hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue or low energy, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, social withdrawal etc. It is important to note here that we as parents need to be observant and any behavioral deviation in the child's behavior should be treated carefully and definitely medical help needs to be sought.

Is it possible that depression is present but there are no visible signs?

Verily possible and this is known as 'Masked' or 'Smiling' depression. In this situation the individual appears to be happy and energetic outwardly but inwardly there is that sadness or typical traits of a classic depression. It becomes difficult for parents in this situation to recognize that something maybe wrong hence it is more dangerous. One very important aspect that I came across is that masked depression also known as 'Somatic Depression' is characterized by predominance of somatic symptoms without mood related symptoms. Somatic refers to the presence of extreme physical symptoms such as pain or fatigue that hampers normal functioning. That means depression can get shrouded by manifesting itself in form of physical ailments such as headaches or backpain and can go unnoticed for a long time.

The more I delve into this topic one things becomes clear that as parents we should be watchful and we need to seek medical help in case of even an iota of doubt.

What are the typical causes of depression?

Research points in the direction of family history as a major cause. Children are more prone to depression if their parents or grandparents are suffering or have had a history of depression. That is why parenting is such an important aspect of life. We as parents, adults or individuals need to sort out our lives in order to be able to have a positive influence on our younger ones.

Gender is a factor. In 2022, approximately 28% of females and 11.5% of males in the US aged 12 to 17 years reported of a recent episode of depression. The physical changes which occur in the lives of young female children are linked with depression. This is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and can happen after the child gets their first period.

Other factors include race, religion, physical illness/injury, inherent medical factors such as ADHD and alcohol or drug abuse.

Please note that I am not focused on US particularly however there is a lot of research published pertaining to this geography hence examples and data are being cited out of there. Depression is global in nature and in fact some of the top countries where depression is more prevalent are spread across the globe and not only US.

How to tackle depression in children?

To use the word tackle is in a very layman term and the specific term is actually "treat". Yes, treatment and therapy is the right way which suggests that we need help from experts. Consulting a pediatrician or the family doctor is a good place to start and they may refer to a mental health professional as required.

In short this is a specialized area and as mentioned for depression to be cured it needs therapy or medication as directed by the medical experts.

As parents we can probably prevent depression by inculcating a positive lifestyle at home which includes exercises for kids, proper sleep, good nutrition, safe and supportive environment at home.

Thank you!