5 Things Every Parent Must Know About Childhood Depression
Vaneeta was really concerned for her 11-year-old daughter Ankita. For the past few months, Ankita had been avoiding playing with her friends and often sat silent. She preferred to sleep for extended hours and lost interest in the dance classes she once enjoyed. Vaneeta was worried and took Ankita for a medical check-up to make sure that she was not suffering any health issues.
A few consultations later, Ankita was diagnosed as suffering from depression. This really took Vaneeta by surprise as she did not expect her young daughter to suffer depression symptoms as such a tender age. A counselling session revealed that Ankita was depressed about having performed badly at a team sports meet as she was scolded by her teacher infront of many students and bullied thereafter by her classmates.
Like Ankita, many young school children suffer from clinical depression. And, just like Vaneeta, many parents are taken completely by surprise. A complete lack of awareness on childhood depression only serves to worsen the situation. Having the right information is essential to help parents know how to handle this delicate, yet crucial phase of a child’s life. Here are 5 important facts that every parent must know about childhood depression.
- Depression often runs in the genes
Often, if a child suffers from depression, it is usually because of genetic factors. Medical studies have proven, time and again, that clinical depression runs in families. It can be passed on either from the maternal or the paternal side of the family. This susceptibility to the condition can lie dormant until a major stressful even triggers it off in the child.
- Depression does not go away on its own
A common misconception held by many parents is that depression is not a serious condition and that, if ignored, it will usually go away on its own. In some cases, children overcome the condition through extra attention and love at home and by being kept busy with hobby classes. However, in most cases, depression becomes worse if ignored and starts to affect all aspects of a child’s wellbeing, including physical health.
- Depression can cause other mental health issues
A major side-effect of ignoring depression is that it can worsen and manifest as other mental health issues. One such condition is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In this, a child indulges in reckless and attention seeking behaviour in order to overcome the underlying pressures of depression symptoms. For some children, depression manifests as OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Symptoms of these medical conditions often overlap.
- Depression in childhood is more common than you think
Many parents of children suffering depression feel they are all alone and that their child is different. The fact is that depression in childhood has become more common than ever. Never blame your child or yourself for the circumstances as this will worsen the negativity. Rather, reach out to support groups through your counsellor or through online platforms, and connect with parents who are going through similar times. This will provide you an outlet to share your feelings and ensure you always get support when you need it the most.
- Depression is a physical condition
Many parents ignore depression as they feel it is a disease of the mind that will go away on its own. However, depression symptoms are very much physical and can hamper a child’s health in the long run. Depression shows symptoms such as inability to sleep, avoiding food or overeating, and substance abuse that can all have serious health consequences. Thus, if your child exhibits signs of depression, do speak to a doctor immediately to help control the situation professionally.
Homeopathy Treatment for Depression
Depression is a complex disease. Its symptoms often go unnoticed until they become too severe and damaging. Moreover, the responsibility often falls on a family member or a close friend so seek help for the person suffering. Homeopathy takes a comprehensive approach to recovery from depression. The process involves a depression test, a medical examination and counselling sessions that make the family member a part of the process of recovery. Depression is a disease that dampens the mood of not just the victim, but also all those around him / her. Thus, healing has to be an inclusive process.
Homeopathic treatment for depression consists of therapy for emotional wellbeing and medications to improve serotonin levels. The medications are non-toxic and non-addictive. This makes homeopathy a great choice for children suffering from depression. Additionally, homeopathy works by boosting your immune system to fight diseases on its own. This natural approach to healing works for better long-term results. If a loved one is suffering from clinical depression, do speak to a homeopathic doctor for safe and holistic healing.
