What to do if my child is depressed

What are the signs that your child might be depressed? Is your child Moody or depressed? Supervising any medication (it’s too much to ask a depressed child to manage his own medication) Make time to talk. Help your teen relax with physical and creative activities.

Talk to and listen to your child with love and support.

Reassure them that this is very common with depression. As in adults, depression in children can be caused by any combination of factors that relate to physical health, life events, family history, environment, genetic vulnerability and biochemical disturbance. Even though someone who’s depressed may shun gatherings, be persistent. Encourage your child to socialize. Contact with friends and family provides a support system that is essential to someone with depression.

If your child is depresse you probably are scared and feel helpless. There are ways that you can help your chil though.

Recognize that clinical depression is a disease. Internalizing this fact will help your child in two ways. One, it will hopefully keep you from blaming yourself or your child. Start by talking to your child with a loving, accepting and non-judgmental tone.

Find a time when you can both talk without distractions —that means no electronics or siblings aroun and not the two. Sometimes, despite all their efforts, parents are the last to know when their child is depressed , and friends can be very helpful identifying the symptoms an in some cases, alerting the parents. U leaving the world would do more damage then good. I am a mom with girls who I love more then the world.

I do cuz I want them to turn out to be good ppl n cuz I love them. Elliot L - depression can have many causes: mental (what you are thinking), emotional (too many blocked emotions) and physical (an inactive lifestyle). To work through your depression you need to work on all levels. Because of this dramatic shifting in hormones, your emotions can become very out of.

Also, a depressed child can cause a parent much anxiety, guilt and frustration. If you think your child might be depresse try to journal the changes in your child’s behavior as mentioned above for at least weeks. Based on what you observe, have a candid conversation with your child about what he or she may be feeling.

If you notice any of these in your child’s behaviour it may be time to seek help.

But, keep in min the first step may be a good heart to heart talk with your child. Ask your child to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Some colleges offer mental health services, though they may be limited. Coach your child to learn new skills.

During a time of episodic depression in your child’s life, I would recommend that you use more coaching and less limit setting. Why a Quiet Room is Important: Children who are depressed often exhibit distractibility and impaired concentration, so it’s important to get them in a soothing environment. Don’t try to have a talk with them about their behavior or about their coping skills when a lot of other distractions are present. Should I take a more active role in guiding my child ? Interpersonal therapy (IPT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) have all been shown to be helpful for teenagers with depression.

Make sure that your child has had a thorough evaluation that includes treatment recommendations to help guide you. Communicate with your child. Let your child know you are aware of their struggles and want to listen and help. Listen without judgment.

You can help reduce the symptoms of depression by ensuring that your son engages in a regular routine and otherwise minimizes stress. This includes following a regular schedule for meals and sleep.