A psychiatric condition that we cannot associate with children even when we hear its name, DEPRESSION. While it can be understood very clearly with certain features in adulthood, the situation in children is seen a little different. A huge situation for small bodies.
According to my clinical experience, events such as today’s family structure, vital situations, educational system irregularities, insecurity in social life, rapidly changing political and cultural economic fluctuations in society, negative situations exposed through media, domestic violence, etc. affects too much.
If we review the RISK FACTORS IN DEPRESSION:
Parental attitudes, negative, critical, overly strict attitudes,
Parent separation,
Parental loss ,
Domestic violence,
Starting school, exposure to negative behaviors in school,
Loss of a loved one,
Having siblings,
History of psychiatric disorders in the mother or father,
A history of serious illness,
Moving, changes in location,
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioral disorder, tic disorders, Psychiatric problems such as speech problems increase the risk of developing depression in the child.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:
Symptoms of depression differ in children compared to adults. The problem is understood more quickly as adults can realize their situation themselves. However, since the changes in emotions and behaviors in children will be noticed by the adults around them, the search for help may be delayed. If your child or student has some of the following symptoms and continues for more than 1 month, it is definitely useful to consult a specialist.
Especially in infancy, the child may experience apathy, excessive crying, restlessness, and sleep problems as a result of the separation of the caregiver.
PRESCHOOL PERIOD:
Restlessness,
Anger,
Fears,
Unhappy facial expression,
Hallucinations,
Refusal to play with peers,
Harming toys and peers,
Acting angry with adults,
Regression in toilet habits, which is an acquired skill, bedwetting, such as incontinence,
Unhappiness,
Quick boredom,
Reluctance,
Changes in sleeping and eating habits, even if there is no weight loss, age-appropriate weight and height development There may be a problem,
Some physical symptoms may accompany such as headache, stomachache.
In the pre-school period, information is generally obtained from the family. In school-age children and adolescents, their emotional states and negative thoughts in this situation can be discussed with them. Suicidal ideation should be questioned in depression. Even though the idea of suicide increases with age, the possibility that it will occur in children should not be ignored.
IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN:
In addition to the above
Not wanting to go to school,
Anxiety about failure
Thinking that you are not loved,
Decreased school performance,
Introversion,
Self-loathing,
Concentration problems,
Suicidal thoughts may occur.
Of course, there is Depression in adolescence as well. And findings similar to those of adult depression are observed.
If you notice these findings or if your child tells you that they are unhappy and reluctant, it is not the right way to wait for them to pass. If it continues, please be careful.
TREATMENT
It is important to take a good history for the diagnosis of depression. Are there any risk factors, is there a triggering event, it is very important to learn the family’s approach to the situation. If there are physical symptoms and weight gain etc., this is the case. In this sense, it would be appropriate to request the necessary laboratory examinations and necessary consultations.
In the treatment, it is essential to first inform the family and ensure their cooperation. It is important to explain the situation to the child in a language that he or she can understand, to talk to him about what to do and to increase the harmony. Psychotherapy studies with the child should be adjusted according to the child’s developmental level. And appropriate drug therapy should be started and followed up.
