What is it about ?
Depression can occur in children and adolescents as well as in adults. A child experiences depression as a state of dissatisfaction. Along with the loss of interest, the child also loses the ability to experience happiness and satisfaction in daily activities. He often feels rejected and thinks that no one cares about him. Offering help can be difficult.
What is its frequency?
About 3 in 100 children under 13 suffer from depression.
How to recognize it?
It can be extremely difficult to see depression in a young child. Here are some possible signs in a small child with depression:
- He has less eye contact with his parents;
- Her face is less expressive;
- He sometimes has a sad or dull gaze;
- He shows no interest in his environment and other people;
- He moves less and talks less;
- He reacts more slowly than normal;
- Sleep and eating problems are possible.
In extreme cases, the zest for life disappears, which can lead to a delay in motor and mental development.
Of course, there are very lonely and calm children who are not depressed. It is the combination of symptoms that makes one think more of depression.
In early childhood and school age, depression often manifests itself in the following signs:
- Irritability and boredom;
- The child shows less emotions;
- He usually becomes a little slower or, on the contrary, hyperactive;
- He has fewer and fewer interests, and his friendships disappear;
- He is often abnormally tired and sleeps badly or, on the contrary, sleeps excessively;
- Often he thinks he is good for nothing;
- At school, he has difficulty concentrating, and his academic performance has deteriorated. He isolates himself. As he behaves differently, he is often also the victim of bullying (harassment);
- He may develop physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.
- He may have flighty behavior and thoughts of self-harm, with, in extreme cases, self-harm and suicide tendencies.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will first need to determine if it is true depression or if there are other conditions that may explain the symptoms. Of great importance is the duration of symptoms and their impact on normal daily functioning. For example, a short period of depression after a death in the immediate circle is not depression. Long-term behavior change, on the other hand, may indicate depression.
The doctor also pays attention to psychic changes, such as fears and phobias, which often accompany depression. He also asks questions to the family concerning the functioning and development of the child.
If necessary, it first excludes other diseases. If he really suspects depression, he refers the child to a child psychiatrist. This will ask the child and his family questions and give them extensive tests; this will allow her to detect the causes of depression and to suggest treatment.
What can you do ?
It is very important to be able to talk about the problems. If you see that something is wrong, try talking to your child and the people involved at school. Also, make sure the child is in a calm and supportive environment. If the problem does not resolve on its own, don’t wait too long to seek help. The more depression gets, the harder it will be to get over it.
What can the doctor do?
The treatment of depression comprises two parts: on the one hand, psychological support for the child and his entourage (in particular his family) and, on the other hand, possibly antidepressant drugs.
There are many types of psychic / psychiatric interventions for children. It is difficult to demonstrate which therapeutic approach is the best. The choice is always made in consultation with the child and the family and taking into account the particular situation.
Psychic support (usually cognitive behavioral therapy) is always tried first without medication, except in cases of threat of suicide. Medicines are only considered if the psychological support does not give any results or is insufficient.
Drug treatment is followed very carefully as there is a risk of serious side effects. This is because some antidepressants can even increase depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts at first.
The chances of recovery after a first episode of depression are almost 100%. Childhood depression, however, does influence the risk of depression and suicide in adolescence and adulthood.
Want to know more?
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Mental Health Services – The Social Guide
- Find a therapist – AEMTC – Association for the Study, Modification and Therapy of Behavior
- Find a psychologist – Commission des psychologues
Source