Article
by R.Manoj Clinical psychologist psychotherapist and counselor with expertise in
child and adolescent psychology
Many
parents who come with specific behavioral or academic problems are taken aback
when their child is diagnosed for depression and when they are told that their
child is depressed. The usage of the term depression itself make the parents so
uncomfortable that either they try to argue within the professional say that
these may be temporary blues which every one experience on regular basis caused
by transient events or just fail to turn up for the next session. Some even
request the professional not to mention the term “depression” in the report
whenever the same is demanded by the professional or the institution that
referred the child for consultation.
One
of the least recognized and acknowledge fact is children having depression.
These are primarily because most of the adults feel that, children have no
problems, worries or responsibilities which would make them prone to
depression. But what they fail to understand is that the children’s problems,
worries and responsibilities are big enough for them to become stressed and if
adequate support is not available it can very well lead to depression. More
over they are dependent on parents in every way, and the parents expect their
children to live a life as per the parents aspirations and manage the problems
by the methods and directions provided by the parents Any independent move by
the child to handle their problems on their own or in consultation with anybody
else is only felt as an act defiance which only leads to further pressure from
the parents to tow the expected lines. These factors only creates a feeling of
powerlessness, lack of control and helplessness in children which only
escalates the status in the children who are already stresses or prone to
depression.
In
case of adolescents most of the behavioral, cognitive and emotional changes are
viewed as a natural part of their developmental process and parents turn a
blind eye to the the deterioration's even when its obvious. It’s a well known
fact that adolescence is period of stress and storm and they have to handle
multiple pressures both internal and external which can easily make them prone
to depression. But parents never even think about the possibility even though
they know that their child is undergoing a lot of turmoil which can be
difficult for them to manage by themselves.
The
other important reason why parents find it difficult to acknowledge this fact
is because, children are not so articulate as adults in expressing their
emotions. Most of the time it is manifested through behavioral problems or
deterioration in performance, on various functionalities for which parents have
their own interpretations which actually clouds their rational mind from
looking into the possibility of the child being depressed.
One
more factor, that make diagnosis of depression even for professionals is that
most of the behavior and cognitive symptoms when existing alone can be
diagnosed for other disorders such as mood deregulation disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent
explosive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder,
anxiety disorders and autism spectrum disorders specifically asperger’s
syndrome. In case of adolescence it can also be diagnosed for substance use
disorders. Many a times even when the parent decide to take a professional help
they only project a single behavior or problem which they feel as most
significant or the most disruptive ignoring many other changes which they feel
insignificant or the after effect of the significant one. This can mislead the
professional and unless and otherwise the professional is willing to spend time
to collect all other relevant information they may misdiagnose it for some
other specific disorder.. The difference between these disorders and childhood
depression in childhood depression there are multiple symptoms along with
explicitly noticeable emotionality. The other important difference is that the
changes in behavior, thought process and emotions occurs in a short period of
time which is quiet obvious to people who see these children regularly
What
every parent needs to understand is that depression in children are a reality,
a highly prevalent mental health issue and its life threatening. The increase
in the number of suicides among children and early adolescents for flimsy
reasons which is just a nano percentage of the depressed population is the
proof for the same. The prevalence rate of depressive disorder is estimated to
be 2% in children and 4-8% in adolescence and 70% of children with a single
depressive episode will experience a recurrence within five years, with the
Lifetime prevalence of depressive episode being 20% by the end of adolescence.
Untreated
depression in children, can lead to devastating consequences, including
consistent problems in school, at home and with friends, the loss of critical
developmental years, increased risk for antisocial behavior and in some cases
even suicide. Just like every other health issues depression in children can
also be cured with early diagnosis and appropriate intervention.
