This amazing guest post was written by Jeriann Watkins Ireland, a writer, and wellness enthusiast. We encourage you to check out more from Jeriann at her website.
Today’s children, like every generation, face a number of unique challenges, as well as experiencing a lot of benefits from the era they were born in. The modern view of childhood, emphasizing the role of family and sanctity of childhood, didn’t begin until the late 1800s. Before this, children were not often valued and were put to work as early as possible. Europe started requiring schooling for children in the late 19th century, and this began the structured view of childhood we have today.
Because society now largely views children as innocent, childhood is expected to be full of play, learning, and exploration, rather than responsibility. This does not mean children do not have responsibilities, but more than that they are learning about responsibility while not shouldering the entire load an adult would be expected to.
Of course, children still experience stress, problems, and other negative aspects of reality. In fact, according to the CDC, 1 in 5 American children have a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. There is no true way to know if these disorders are more prevalent than they used to be, since so many factors are involved. Diagnostics have become more reliable, conditions that are now commonly diagnosed weren’t even named years ago, and in general, parents, teachers, and doctors are a lot more perceptive to children’s needs and struggles.
Still, many people are skeptical or shocked at the number of kids who struggle with mental disorders. “What do they have to be depressed about?” they may ask. But questions like these stem from a misunderstanding as to what depression, and mental illness in general, is. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings are part of the reason that emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders in children are severely underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated.
This lack of understanding from adults can have immense impacts on children. A child doesn’t always know what is abnormal or wrong, especially if they have always felt a certain way. This was the case with Alex Crotty, who has shared her experience with major depression and anxiety. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t feel numb to the world, but it wasn’t until she was 14 that she was able to express to her mother “I can’t feel anything.”
Many people think of depression as a mood, but it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. This imbalance can be present in anyone, including babies and toddlers. So extended tantrums and refusal to eat or sleep could be signs of mental disorders. Early intervention can help combat these and prevent conditions from worsening later in life. As with most problems, understanding and being proactive are vital in forming solutions and coping mechanisms.
Spotting the Signs
Recognizing depression in children is complicated. For starters, even recognizing depression in yourself can be difficult. Reading someone else’s emotions can be tricky. Throw that in with the fact that kids are growing beings learning to move about in the world and express themselves, and you have a difficult scenario. That’s without even factoring in the hormonal circus that comes with growing up.
However, there are still clear signs to help parents determine if their child is experiencing short term mood fluctuations, temporary sadness, or something more serious. The main considerations are sudden changes and time. If your child’s behavior and mood are suddenly different for no apparent reason, that is a warning sign. If your child is sad, numb, or distant for a couple of weeks, this indicates that they are not sad about a particular event or thing. Talking with your child is always the first step. See if they can explain their feelings. Talking with medical professionals even when you’re not sure is a great way to try and catch depression early and give your child the support they need. The following are some common signs of depression:
- Irritability
- Anger
- Continuous feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low energy
- Social withdrawal
- Thoughts of death or suicide
As mentioned above, a lot of these behaviors alone are just normal parts of life and childhood. Every child will eventually have some morbid thoughts about death. Every adolescent experience changes in appetite and sleep patterns as their bodies grow. This is why communication and openness are important. Build an environment where your child is comfortable talking about their emotions. If your child suddenly withdraws from personal interactions, ask them to think about whether it’s a particular thing they’re avoiding, or if they have a general desire to be alone. If you suspect they just need a change of pace, try some outdoor activities to stimulate their brains. Teach them breathing techniques to center themselves. The more your child is in tune with their body and emotions, the better they can communicate changes and anomalies. You can try an all natural B-complex supplement for stress support as well.
Ongoing Research
Dr. Joan Luby — director of the Early Emotional Development program at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — and her team are dedicated to recognizing and combating depression in children, particularly preschoolers. They are conducting studies to see if early intervention can help minimize depression later in life. They train parents and children to recognize emotions. For parents, this involves communication tools and avoidance of harmful behaviors like yelling. For children, this includes learning how to exercise their control over their feelings. An open dialogue is extremely important, as many children don’t tell their parents about their emotions because they think they’ll either not believe them, or overreact and send them away. Kids need to realize that even negative feelings can be healthy, but if they become strong or overwhelming, it’s important to seek help. Battling the stigma of emotional and mental distress at a societal level can help individuals immensely, as it makes it easier for them to step forward and get the help they need.
Luby’s team is working to provide kids and families with the resources they need to be emotionally healthy. If we as a society can help support work like this, fewer kids and adolescents will feel they have to hide their emotions. When depression is recognized early on, it can be controlled and prevented from becoming worse.
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