CHILDREN ARE ALSO DEPRESSED !!!
Today, the development of technology, modern life, the negativities brought by this life affect the mental health of adults as well as children.
Recent studies reveal that childhood depressions have increased tremendously. While depression is seen in 1% of children in pre-school period and 2% in school period, this rate rises to 10-14% in adolescence. When childhood depression is not understood and treated, it becomes chronic and its consequences can lead to suicide.
When should we suspect depression in children?
Although sometimes very clear symptoms can be seen, sometimes the symptoms can be insidious. Decrease in academic success, inability to concentrate, learning difficulty, thought of being unloved, decreased self-confidence, irritability, crying quickly, irritability, sleep and appetite changes, irritability, anger at oneself, fears, decrease in speech, bedwetting, incontinence, immune system being affected and frequent A wide variety of symptoms can be seen, such as the appearance of illness.
Sometimes physical complaints such as headache, stomachache, nausea can also be a precursor of depression.
Causes of depression:
-Loss of a loved one, especially one of the parents
-Parents’ divorce
-presence of a chronic illness
-family conflicts, problems, emotional neglect of the child
-physical abuse
-inappropriate approach of the family (expecting too much, excessive criticism and prescriptiveness, overprotective attitude, etc.)
-Children with psychiatric disorders such as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, learning difficulties, speech disorders
– One of the parents, especially the mother, is depressed
Parents and teachers, who notice all these symptoms, should be sensitive about this issue and should seek expert support as soon as they notice the negativities in the child. It should not be forgotten that recognizing and treating depression in childhood will affect the whole quality of life and treatment is an important investment in mental health in adult life.
