True Stories of Depression in Children: What Are the Common Causes?Common causes of depression in children include biological factors. Sometimes hormonal imbalances or chemical changes in the brain can occur for no obvious external reason and contribute to depression. Traumatic events like abuse, whether it's physical, emotional or sexual, are also major causes. A child who has gone through such a horrible experience may struggle with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, which are key symptoms of depression.
Listening to Children with Depression: Their StoriesOne important aspect is to create a safe space for these children to share. For example, in a school setting, teachers can be trained to notice the signs of depression in children and encourage them to talk. Often, children with depression may feel isolated, and by listening to their stories, we can start to break down those barriers.
Early symptoms of depression in childrenEarly symptoms of depression in children include the following:
1. ** In terms of emotions **
- Low Mood: Feeling depressed, sad, and depressed for a long time. You need to pay special attention to low moods that last for more than two weeks. You may even experience extreme world-weariness and be unable to obtain happiness from normal activities.
- Emotional fluctuations: sometimes low, sad, silent, sometimes suddenly become irritable, irritable, easy to lose temper when encountering bad things, teenagers may have more intense emotional fluctuations, often suddenly from happy to low or angry.
- [Loss of happiness: Being in a depressed state for a long time, unable to communicate with others normally, and unable to be interested in the people and things around you.]
2. ** Interested **
- Decline of interest: No longer interested in anything, losing enthusiasm for previous hobbies, losing interest in daily activities (such as sports, socializing, games, hobbies, etc.), no longer having the motivation and enthusiasm to participate.
3. ** In terms of social interaction **
- Reduce or resist social activities: unwilling to contact others, reduce communication with friends and family, become more withdrawn and silent, avoid communication with family and friends, avoid social activities, reduce participation in daily activities such as family and school, and even give up school or other important tasks.
4. ** Physical aspects **
- Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep, early waking up, insomnia, or drowsiness may occur.
- Dieting problems: There may be loss of appetite, loss of interest in food, weight loss, or increased appetite and binge eating.
- Other physical discomfort: physical discomfort, dizziness, chest tightness, nausea, limb weakness, headache, stomach pain, etc. These symptoms have no obvious physiological reasons but may appear frequently.
5. ** In terms of self-awareness **
- Self-denial: Often belittling oneself, lacking confidence in one's own abilities, frequently showing inferiority or disappointment in oneself, thinking that one can't do things well, and even losing confidence in the future. Thinking about problems tends to be negative, pessimistic, and often feels hopeless.
- Attention and learning difficulties: Difficulties in learning and concentration, such as decline in academic performance, memory loss, lack of concentration, etc., may also cause a decline in learning motivation, slow thinking, or even complete loss of motivation to learn, resulting in frequent truancy.
6. ** Other aspects **
- Self-harm tendency: It is possible to have thoughts and behaviors that harm oneself to relieve inner pain and relieve suppressed emotions, such as repeated scratches, cuts, burns, etc., and the wounds do not conform to common accidents. It will also prevent others from seeing traces of self-harm.
- Suicide-related situations may occur: directly talking about death or suicide, suddenly becoming calm from extreme depression, alienating others, researching suicide methods, places, and tools, and implementing suicide plans.
- Over-sensitivity: Extremely sensitive to external evaluations or peer opinions, easily feeling neglected and ostracized, which in turn aggravate inferiority and loneliness.
- Rebellious behavior: Relieve stress by rebelling and defying parents and teachers. As stress increases, you may seek extreme ways to escape pain, such as abusing drugs, alcohol, or participating in other dangerous activities.
- Internet addiction: Long-term addiction to social media, video games, videos, and other online activities, escaping real difficulties and stress through the virtual world.
Children with anxiety and depression, what should parents do?When a child has anxiety or depression, parents can deal with it from the following aspects:
** 1. Family Support **
1. ** To improve family environment and education methods **
- Parents should try to develop the habit of having a heart-to-heart talk with their children. The child's psychological development is not mature, and he does not know how to deal with his emotions. When he is depressed and anxious, he will be depressed in his heart. Parents should take the initiative to communicate and guide the child to express himself. This process itself can reduce stress.
- Usually, encourage the child more and try to avoid criticizing the child. Children's self-awareness will become sensitive and unconfident. More encouragement and less criticism can make children feel respect and help alleviate anxiety and depression.
- To establish a good family atmosphere, parents should maintain a peaceful and happy state, create a relaxed family environment, and reduce children's anxiety and depression.
- Have reasonable and realistic expectations for children. High goals can easily make children feel frustrated and powerless, resulting in self-denial and shame.
2. ** Strengthening parent-child communication, care, and companionship **
- Take your child to the playground and other places to relax. Parents should arrange time to accompany their child as much as possible. Such activities can help the child reduce stress and improve his mood.
- When the child showed signs of anxiety and depression, talk to the child face to face in time to understand his real situation and thoughts, give comfort and encouragement, and be a strong backing for the child.
- Help the child to understand himself correctly, find his own strengths and strengths, and give him affirmation and recognition in a timely manner.
- Let the child not keep his troubles in his heart, learn to interact with others, confide in trusted teachers, classmates, or friends, and seek understanding, help, and support.
** 2. Seeking professional help **
1. ** Psychotherapy **
- You can take your child to a professional counselor for psychotherapy, such as through interviews, painting psychotherapy, sandbox psychotherapy, family therapy, etc., to find the cause of depression and anxiety, enhance confidence in overcoming emotional barriers, regulate family relationships, and improve personality defects to improve the child's mood.
2. ** Physical therapy **
- If the child's depression and anxiety are more serious, the parents can take the child to the hospital. After the doctor's evaluation, under the doctor's guidance, the child will be treated with physical therapy such as repetitive transcendence magnetic stimulation and convulsive electroconvulsive therapy to improve the depression and anxiety.
3. ** Medication **
- For children with serious emotional problems, such as severe insomnia, physical discomfort, or even self-harming behavior and pessimism, parents should take their children to the hospital in time. Under the guidance of doctors, they can take drugs such as fluvoxamine and sertraline to control the condition.
- If the child has symptoms of depression and anxiety, it is recommended to visit the psychiatric or psychological department of a specialized hospital to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the symptoms, emotions, and psychology. Through the assessment and examination, the severity of anxiety and depression can be determined, and the treatment plan can be further defined.
How Can We Help a Child with Depression in True Stories of Child Depression?First, we should provide a loving and stable environment. For example, parents can spend more time with the child, listening to their feelings without judgment. Second, professional help is crucial. A child psychologist can diagnose the problem accurately and offer appropriate treatment. Third, encourage the child to engage in activities they like, such as painting or sports, which can boost their mood.
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2024-11-21 08:05