What is depression? Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious illness that negatively affects how you feel the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair.
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide
What causes depression? The main cause of depression is stress. Some teens stress over trying to achieve academic success, while others might stress about their family and home life. Bullying can also be a major cause of depression. Being bullied or teased will cause their self-esteem to lower and inflict a feeling of being inferior to others. Other causes or depression could be problems in their personal life such as break ups or fights with friends. The maximum amount of mental, physical, and emotional distress one can experiences to become depressed can vary from person to person.
How does depression affect academic performance? Two of the more common symptoms of depression are lack of focus, and an inability to concentrate for extended periods of time This can cause a drop in ones grades and decrease participation in group projects or presentations. For some, their depression could be bad enough to where it is hard for them to get out of bed to go to school, causing more absences. Some may get themselves in to trouble more often. Depression can also make them isolate themselves from other students and teachers.
A mental health evaluation should include interviews with you (the parents) and your child. Information from teachers, friends and classmates can also shed light on your child’s mood and behavior changes.
How child does develop depression? It is natural for children, like adults, to experience emotional ups and downs. For some children, feeling “blue” for an extended period can be a sign of depression. If your child’s mental health interferes with social activities, interests, schoolwork or family life, it’s time to get help. In children, depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. Anxiety is a medical condition that causes feelings of fear, panic or worry about everyday situations. Sometimes, depression or anxiety in children gets chalked up to “growing pains.” But if you have any concerns about behavioral or mental health, talk to a healthcare provider.
How are childhood depression and anxiety diagnosed? If you think your child is showing signs of depression or anxiety, talk to a healthcare provider. Start with your child’s pediatrician. Your pediatrician may refer you to a mental health professional for a more detailed evaluation. A healthcare provider will likely start by ruling out conditions that may be causing your child’s mood issues. Illnesses known to cause symptoms of depression include:
• Anemia.
• Concussion.
• Diabetes.
• Epilepsy.
• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
• Mononucleosis.
• Vitamin D deficiency.
There are no tests to diagnose depression. A mental health evaluation should include interviews with you (the parents) and your child. Information from teachers, friends and classmates can also shed light on your child’s mood and behavior changes.
How are depression and anxiety in children treated? Treatment options for children with depression are like those for adults. Your child’s healthcare provider may recommend:
• Psychotherapy (counseling).
• Medication.
• Combination of the two.
(The author a teacher by profession has mailed this article to “Kashmir Horizon” for publication in this newspaper. The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
[email protected]
