•LAGOS Doctor, EMMANUELLA NWOBI
Depression is one of the major issues happening to people right now which differs from person to person and caused by different things. Not too my people know that children and teens also suffer depression. The most common ones are with adults.
When a sad or bad mood lasts for weeks or longer and there are other changes in a child’s behavior, it might be depression so the doctors says.
One hospital which is very grounded when it comes to health issues is Paelon memorial hospital in Lagos. It is a hospital where quality medical services are provided to their clients. This children depression is not often discussed during health talks but it was one of the major topics being discussed at the Webinar organized by Paelon Memorial hospital with the topic, Children and Teens Depression; who is their role model. One of the lead speakers on the webinar was Dr Emmanuella Nwobi, the Paediatrician at Paelon Hospital. Dr Nwobi is consummately passionate about children and aspires to contribute more to improving their wellbeing and care in Nigeria through research and community service. She spoke about the signs and symptoms of depression in children.
She said” Most times we tend to think that it is just a physical thing, we forget the mental aspect. if a mother brings her child to the hospital and she goes like,” I am doing everything, my child is feeding but she is not gaining weight and they say that my child is inattentive in school, she is suddenly withdrawn, she doesn’t want to play with her friends”, most of the common symptoms that I get is this, “she is having this abdominal discomfort”, so such times, there are physical symptoms but in pathology it is actually a mental Health problem, so when they come like that, of course you have to properly examine the child, and be certain that really there is no physical ailment.But when you have done that and ascertained that there is no physical problem then it is now time to dig deeper.”
These are reasons depression does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get depressed too.It’s important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt the child’s life and turn into a long-term problem.
A type of mood (or “affective”) disorder, major depression, goes far beyond the typical feelings of sadness that a child might experience. Instead, major depression is a persistently sad or irritable mood that affects a child’s thinking and behavior at home, in school, and with peers.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 10 percent of adolescents ages 12-17 experience major depression in a given year. It is on the rise in both children and adolescents. With early onset, childhood and adolescence depression can predict future episodes of depression into adulthood. Early and consistent treatment can help to lessen the risk of recurrence and reduce the severity of symptoms while improving functioning and well-being.
Some of the signs and symptoms are sadness, or a low mood that does not go away,being irritable or grumpy all the time, not being interested in things they used to enjoy, feeling tired and exhausted a lot of the time.Your child may also have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual, not be able to concentrate, interact less with friends and family, be indecisive, not have much confidence, eat less than usual or overeat, have big changes in weight, seem unable to relax or be more lethargic than usual, talk about feeling guilty or worthless
feel empty or unable to feel emotions (numb), have thoughts about suicide or self-harming
actually self-harm, for example, cutting their skin or taking an overdose
Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.
Problems at school can be a sign of depression in children and young people and so can problem behaviour. Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol.
Some of the things that increase the risk of depression in children include, family difficulties
Bullying, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, a family history of depression or other mental health problems, Sometimes depression is triggered by one difficult event, such as parents separating, a bereavement or problems with school or other children.
Often it’s caused by a mixture of things. For example, your child may have a tendency to get depression and also experienced some difficult life events.
If you think your child may be depressed, it’s important to talk to them. Try to find out what’s troubling them and how they’re feeling.Whatever is causing the problem, take it seriously. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for your child.
If your child does not want to talk to you, let them know that you’re concerned about them and that you’re there if they need you.Encourage them to talk to someone else they trust, such as another family member, a friend or someone at school. It may be helpful for you to talk to other people who know your child, including their other parent. You could also contact their school to ask if the staff have any concerns.
There are a combination of causes, such as genetics, environment, and psychological factors. Research suggests that major depression has a strong genetic component given that the illness can be passed on from one generation to the next. However, it’s important to note that children don’t always develop depression simply because their parents have it. Many children develop depression even when there is no family history of the illness. Children are also more likely to develop depression if they experience environmental stress such as abuse, neglect, or trauma, significant changes or losses, family and parental distress, or significant peer conflict such as bullying or romantic loss. In addition, children with chronic medical illnesses or other behavioral health disorders, such as anxiety, are at risk for developing depression.
Each child may experience symptoms of major depression differently. To be diagnosed with major depression, a child needs to show at least one of the following two symptoms for most days of the week, for most of the day, during the same two-week period:Persistent feelings of sadness or irritability, Loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities once enjoyed, In addition, several of the following symptoms must also be present: Feeling hopeless or helpless, Having low self-esteem, Feeling inadequate, Excessive guilt, Difficulty with relationships or social withdrawal, Sleep disturbances, whether sleeping too much or too little, Changes in appetite or weight, Decreased energy, Difficulty concentrating or a decline in school performance, Increased sensitivity to failure or rejection, Indecision, Frequent physical complaints, such as a headache, stomachache, or fatigue, Thoughts of wishing to be dead, Suicidal thoughts or attempts. It’s crucial to remember that depression symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors must be taken very seriously.
If you believe your child suffers from major depression, talk to your child’s pediatrician or seek out either a therapist or psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents. An accurate diagnosis and early treatment are keys to success in managing major depression. Depression can also occur alongside other behavioral health disorders, such as substance abuse or anxiety disorders. With the level of complexity often involved in diagnosing and treating depression, finding a highly trained professional, such as a pediatrician, licensed clinical social worker, a child psychologist, or a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is important.
Early treatment is key to reducing distress, improving functioning, and preventing future depression episodes. Without treatment, your child’s depression could persist for longer and become increasingly more severe, leading to significant impairment in school, at home, and with friends and family.
The treatment plan may include:Evidence-based Individual Therapy which are Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This treatment will help your child decrease depressive symptoms by changing distorted views of himself/herself and the world, engage in activities that promote positive mood, and utilize effective problem solving and coping skills and Interpersonal therapy: This treatment will help your child decrease depressive symptoms by having him/her cope with and work through difficult relationship stressors by learning skills to improve communication, problem solving, and social interaction, Family Therapy: A parent’s support is crucial in helping a child learn to manage his/her mood and life. Family therapy can also explore and address family dynamics or situational stressors contributing to your child’s depression. Medication:An antidepressant medication can be very effective in treating moderate to severe depression, especially when it’s combined with individual and/or family therapy.
With additional info from Chphil.
