Depression in Children

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hannah asked 12 years ago

Only a kid , and im having alot of depression lately , is there a way to help me get over it ?

1 Answers
Best Answer
Insight Psychological Staff answered 2 years ago

Thank you for your question. It was courageous of you to reach out for some support. It’s normal to experience sadness or hopelessness from time to time; especially if you’re going through something that might be tough. While these feelings can be difficult to deal with, there are ways that you can learn to manage them. Being aware of how you’re feeling is a good first step to help you overcome negative emotions[1]. Although different for every person, here are some common symptoms of depression in young people:

Emotional symptoms

  • Overwhelming feelings of sadness or despair
  • Low self-esteem
  • Frequent crying
  • Regressing to a younger or infantile state
  • Lack of concentration
  • Trouble performing in school
  • Anger issues and irritability
  • Behaviour changes
  • A sudden change in marks or performance
  • Damaging behaviour (to self, others, or property)
  • Avoiding activities they once enjoyed
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Thoughts of suicide or death

 Physical symptoms

  • Lack of appetite or overeating
  • Lack of concentration
  • Headaches
  • Frequent stomach aches
  • Changes in sleeping habits
  • Feeling tired or low energy

Some helpful strategies for dealing with feelings of depression can include:

  • Identifying what triggered you to feel this way so that you make changes in your environment. This could involve making a list of things or specific situations that occurred before you felt depressed, noting what sensations you feel in your body when you feel depressed, and writing down thoughts or images that come to mind when you feel this way.
  • Focusing on positive thoughts or engaging in a gratitude practice, such as writing done 3 things you’re thankful for each day.
  • Taking a few deep breaths or practicing some meditation or mindfulness.
  • Doing something soothing or relaxing like taking a warm bath, drinking tea or hot chocolate, spending time with a loved one, or cuddling a pet.
  • Doing things that boost your mood such as listening to your favorite music, watching your favorite movies, or reading a book.
  • Expressing your emotions in creative ways such as drawing, painting, writing, or playing an instrument.
  • Engaging in exercise or other forms of physical activity like going for a walk or yoga.
  • Be kind and compassionate towards yourself. Remember many people feel this way at times and you are not alone.
  • Talking to a friend, parent, teacher, or other adult that you trust about your feelings.

If you have already tried some of the above tips and your feelings of sadness or hopelessness continue to persist or interfere with your ability to attend school, eat, sleep, or enjoy life then it may be time to seek professional help from someone like a therapist. Insight Psychological has a team of highly skilled therapists who specialize in treating depression in children and youth and we’d be honoured to support you as you work through and mange depression.

If you, or someone you know is considering suicide, for immediate help outside of our office hours, throughout Alberta, please call 211 or one of the following distress lines:

 Edmonton:  The Crisis Centre call 780 482 HELP (4357)
Greater Edmonton region: Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288.
Calgary: 403 266 HELP (4357)

I wish you the very best of luck – and please know that we (and other resources) are here for you.

 

 

[1] Berking, M., & Whitley, B. (2014). The adaptive coping with emotions model (ACE Model). In Affect regulation training (pp. 19–29). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1022-9_3