Depression can have far reaching effect on the well being of children. Therefore, it is a must to help children to get rid of it during the early stages itself. Read on to learn more about the early signs of depression in children and tips for dealing with it.Depression is one of the worst things to happen to children. It can spoil their overall health and well being. Therefore, it is a must for parents to identify its early signs and nip it in the bud. Early intervention and management of depression in children can help parents to prevent its adverse effects. Listed below are the 10 signs of depression in children and tips for preventing it. It is also very important for parents to note that even if children are showing all or some of the below mentioned signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a child is coping with depression. In this articleAnger and IrritabilitySadness and HopelessnessPoor AppetiteDifficulty in SleepingContinuous CryingLoss of FocusPoor Academic PerformanceLack of ActivenessLow ConfidenceExcessive ShynessHow to Help Children Cope with Depression? Top 10 Early Signs of Depression in Children Let us take a quick look at the early signs of depression in children. Anger and Irritability Frequent anger outbursts and irritability are one of the common signs of depression in children. When children are depressed, they start looking at everything from a negative angle. Even if someone is saying good things about them they get irritated and angry. They are just unable to calm down. Sadness and HopelessnessThe cheerfulness in them is completely lost. They always look sad. The feeling of hopelessness thrives deep within in them. For them their happiness seems to be lost forever. Poor AppetiteThey do not feel like eating anything. Even if they are offered their favourite food, they will not show any interest in having it. Difficulty in SleepingWhen children are depressed, they will find trouble with sleeping. They are awake late night for long hours. This may happen as they may keep thinking about something. Continuous Crying Due to depression, they may keep crying frequently. Continuous crying may happen due to the feeling of inner pain in them. They may experience such pain as they must have got deeply hurt. Loss of FocusBecause of the feeling of depression they may completely lose their focus. They may not be able to do any work properly. They may have to sit idle for a long time even if they have to complete their work. Poor Academic PerformanceThere may be a drastic drop in their grades and they may suddenly start performing poorly in their academics. Poor academic performance is a result of loss of focus. Lack of ActivenessChildren are usually very active. They are always cheerful and full or energy. If such children suddenly start showing dullness, it can be the sign of depression in them. Low ConfidenceSudden drop in confidence and lack of interest in doing any kind of activity may indicate that children may be coping with depression. Excessive ShynessIf suddenly a child starts feeling excessively shy to mix with people and talk to them, it can be one of the signs of depression in them. How to Help Children Cope with Depression? Here are few simple things that parents can do in order to do prevent and deal with depression in children.Tell them about the good qualities in them.Help them to talk and express their feelings.Enrol them in hobby classes of their choice.Become their confidant.Teach them to find happiness in little things.Encourage them to make new friends.Praise them for their achievements.Give them little gifts.Show that you care for them.Hug them. Show them that they are important for you.Get involved in different fun activities with them.Support them in the good things that they would like to do. If it is not possible to help the child using the above ways, parents should seek help from an professional as early as possible. The love, care and support are the most important things that children need when they face such problems. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that they are not feeling lost and lonely while they are coping with such issues. How to identify the signs of depression in children? What are the ways to prevent depression in children? How to help children deal with depression? Discuss here.
Depression can have far reaching effect on the well being of children. Therefore, it is a must to help children to get rid of it during the early stages itself. Read on to learn more about the early signs of depression in children and tips for dealing with it.
Depression is one of the worst things to happen to children. It can spoil their overall health and well being. Therefore, it is a must for parents to identify its early signs and nip it in the bud. Early intervention and management of depression in children can help parents to prevent its adverse effects. Listed below are the 10 signs of depression in children and tips for preventing it. It is also very important for parents to note that even if children are showing all or some of the below mentioned signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a child is coping with depression.
Let us take a quick look at the early signs of depression in children.
Anger and Irritability
Frequent anger outbursts and irritability are one of the common signs of depression in children. When children are depressed, they start looking at everything from a negative angle. Even if someone is saying good things about them they get irritated and angry. They are just unable to calm down.
Sadness and Hopelessness
The cheerfulness in them is completely lost. They always look sad. The feeling of hopelessness thrives deep within in them. For them their happiness seems to be lost forever.
Poor Appetite
They do not feel like eating anything. Even if they are offered their favourite food, they will not show any interest in having it.
Difficulty in Sleeping
When children are depressed, they will find trouble with sleeping. They are awake late night for long hours. This may happen as they may keep thinking about something.
Continuous Crying
Due to depression, they may keep crying frequently. Continuous crying may happen due to the feeling of inner pain in them. They may experience such pain as they must have got deeply hurt.
Loss of Focus
Because of the feeling of depression they may completely lose their focus. They may not be able to do any work properly. They may have to sit idle for a long time even if they have to complete their work.
Poor Academic Performance
There may be a drastic drop in their grades and they may suddenly start performing poorly in their academics. Poor academic performance is a result of loss of focus.
Lack of Activeness
Children are usually very active. They are always cheerful and full or energy. If such children suddenly start showing dullness, it can be the sign of depression in them.
Low Confidence
Sudden drop in confidence and lack of interest in doing any kind of activity may indicate that children may be coping with depression.
Excessive Shyness
If suddenly a child starts feeling excessively shy to mix with people and talk to them, it can be one of the signs of depression in them.
Get involved in different fun activities with them.
Support them in the good things that they would like to do.
If it is not possible to help the child using the above ways, parents should seek help from an professional as early as possible. The love, care and support are the most important things that children need when they face such problems. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that they are not feeling lost and lonely while they are coping with such issues.
How to identify the signs of depression in children? What are the ways to prevent depression in children? How to help children deal with depression? Discuss here.
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