Children Depression
“Jack, a bright young boy, recently started his first year of secondary school. He excelled in primary school and was thrilled to get into his preferred school that focuses on science. However, the transition hasn’t been easy for him. The increased workload and collaborative projects have taken him out of his comfort zone. To make matters worse, some of his classmates occasionally tease him, calling him names like “weirdo.” As a result, Jack has been feeling down lately, often making excuses to skip school. He spends more time in his room and struggles to sleep well. You’re worried that he may be experiencing depression.”
These observations indicate that your child might be facing depression. It’s important to remember that feeling sad or wanting to be alone occasionally is normal, especially when faced with challenging situations. Adolescents often experience intense emotions and seek independence from their families.
Signs of depression
Here are some common signs and symptoms of clinical depression in children and adolescents:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Feeling slowed down or restless
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Unexplained physical complaints (e.g., headaches, abdominal pain)
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Reflect on the following questions to gain further insights:
- Is your child experiencing these symptoms most of the time on most days?
- Have you noticed a significant change from your child’s usual self?
- Is there a considerable impact on various aspects of your child’s daily life?
How We Can Help
Rest assured that our team of compassionate psychiatrists and psychologists specializes in diagnosing and treating depression in children and adolescents. We believe in providing personalized care tailored to your child’s unique needs. Treatment may involve a combination of medication, psychological therapy, and social support.
Psychological therapy creates a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and emotions while learning effective coping strategies. Often, depression negatively affects school performance and parent-child communication. That’s why we emphasize supporting parents in creating a nurturing environment at home and school. We collaborate with teachers, principals, and school counselors to offer additional assistance. Your child may benefit from having a supportive buddy or receiving extra attention from their teacher. The school counselor can provide valuable counseling and support as well.
Sometimes, family conflicts or parenting difficulties contribute to a child’s depression. In such cases, family therapy can be highly beneficial, fostering healthy communication and problem-solving skills within the family unit.
Get Help Today
Identifying and addressing depression early on is crucial for your child's overall well-being. If left untreated, depression can persist into adulthood and create challenges in various areas of life. We strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with our experienced professionals. Together, we can guide your child towards a brighter future.
IRemember, you are not alone in this journey. We are here to support your child and your family every step of the way. Let's work together to ensure your child's mental health and happiness.
Adults
- Adjustment Disorders and Stress Management
- Adult ADHD
- Anxiety Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorder
- Expatriates and Long-Term Visitor’s Psychological Well-Being
- Functional Bowel Disorders
- Grief and Survivorship
- Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders
- Maternal Mental Health
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Quitting
- Relationship Problems
- Schizophrenia and Delusional Disorders
- Sexuality Concerns
