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How To Handle Children Depression (Part 1) -By Edwin Alivionote

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african kids

Young Girl With Her Younger Brother

 

The child is a dependent member of the family with very limited chances of unburdening their minds. The cases of depression among children have been on the rise within the last decade. Children who are objects of smiles and laughter now often wear up depressive looks that make them more adults in their disposition. The environment within which we raise our kids has become more hostile to their healthy social growth. The fragile young chaps who are vulnerable to most psycho-social issues around them are left most often to handle these ordeals on their own. The risk of lack of adult/guardian support at this instance can build up a cumulative deficiency or disorder in the child that would surface later in life to dent the child’s personality.

Children show signs of depression in various ways, while some might suddenly become reserved in interaction, others become rebellious and exhibit resistant to obedience. In the family, the child with depression finds more issues with dealing with siblings. The depressed child finds it hard to comprehend in class since he/she cannot focus on the teaching activity. Some of the early signs of depression that could be noticed by attentive parents and guardians of children are;

Signs and symptoms of depression in children include:

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Irritability or anger.
Fearful response to loud sounds
Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Social withdrawal.
Increased sensitivity to rejection.
Changes in appetite -either increased or decreased.
Changes in sleep -sleeplessness or excessive sleep.
Vocal outbursts or crying.

Our closeness to these infants should not just be casual, most often there is a need to study their mood in comparison to what we know of them. There is need to ask them very sensitive questions politely and caringly, so as to give them opportunity to open up their minds to us. Questions such as, my baby (for a girl child), are you alright?, Can you tell daddy what is bordering you my dear?
Facts about Depression in Children

Depression is a condition that is more severe than normal sadness and can significantly interfere with a child’s ability to function.

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Depression affects about 2% of preschool and school-age children.

Depression in children does not have one specific cause but rather a number of biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors that are part of its development.

General symptoms of depression, regardless of age, include having a depressed or irritable mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least two weeks and having at least five clinical signs and symptoms.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth 10-24 years of age.

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To diagnose depression, a health-care professional will likely perform or refer for a thorough medical assessment and physical examination and ask standard mental-health questions.

Treatment for childhood depression may include addressing any medical conditions that caused or worsened the condition. It can also involve lifestyle adjustments, psychotherapy, and, for moderate to severe depression, medication.

Interpersonal therapy (ITP) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are the major approaches commonly used to treat childhood depression.

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…To be cont’d in Part 2

 

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