Depressed children: try to understand them
Most people feel sad some of the time but depression is a lasting sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. This also results in a lack of self worth and sometimes feelings of guilt.Depression can be brought on by an external factor – unhappiness at school, problems in the family, the loss of a loved one – or it can run in families as a chemical imbalance.
Children who are depressed usually feel unable to fit in. They are:
- Unhappy
- Frequently cry
- Irritable and inattentive
- Bored or anxious
- Perform badly at school
- Have few friends or begin to lose interest in them
- Wake up early in the mornings
- Lose weight or put on weight
- Have headaches, stomach aches, and diarrhoea.
You need to be understanding
Depression can develop from bullying at school. Children are not always willing to let on that they are being bullied. Even small amounts of bullying have a serious affect on your child and it must be stopped.You may be aware of what is affecting your child’s depression or you may not. The most important thing is to keep the channels of communication open. Always have time to talk and try to identify the reasons for her feelings of sadness. Do not belittle his feelings or tell him to 'snap out of it'.
If depression in your child deepens and goes on for a while you should consult a doctor. Treatment will consists of psychotherapy and anti-depressant drugs. Most children will recover after treatment but they should be removed from any environment that causes depression
