Mood changes in children are normal. However, if the baby is too long in sadness to interfere with his activities, it could be that the child is experiencing depression. Launching The British Journal of Psychiatry, mood instability in children was reported in 40-60 percent of those with depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder associated with increased use of health services to suicidal ideation.
So, what are the symptoms and signs of a child experiencing depression? Check the following points!
- Nightmares and insomnia
Children with depression may have trouble sleeping. Can find it difficult to sleep, or sleep longer, or often wake up from sleep. Especially if the child so often has nightmares.
- Aggressive
The most common symptom of a depressed child is that the child becomes aggressive. Usually children suddenly become irritable, they are easily frustrated, and easily angry can indicate that the child is depressed.
- Concentration difficulties
In general, people with depression often have problems concentrating or remembering. In children, this may be evidenced by problems at school or an inability to complete assignments.
- Unexplained physical complaints
This sign of a depressed child can be called a psychosomatic disorder. Psychosomatic disorders are physical complaints that are influenced by thoughts or emotions, rather than due to an obvious physical reason, such as an injury or infection.
- Changes in appetite or weight
The first sign of a depressed child is experiencing eating and drinking disorders. Feelings of sadness, disappointment, or hopelessness can be healthy reactions to life's challenges. In depression, these feelings follow a different pattern.
- Looking at everything from the negative side
People with depression may become easily pessimistic, look down on themselves, see their life and their world as bleak, and even see a situation in a negative light.
- Sluggish
Children with depression often speak, react, and act more slowly. They may be less active and not play as well as they normally would.
Those are 7 signs and symptoms of a child experiencing depression. Unlike adults, children tend not to be completely able to explain their emotions. Nor is it possible for them to say, 'I'm depressed,' the way adults do. In fact, they may not even notice that something is out of the ordinary. Therefore, as parents, we must be sensitive to the slightest change in a child's behavior or habits. So that it can be faster to consult an expert.
The article was written by Mrs. Maria Dwindita, S.Psi., M.Psi (Child and Adolescent Psychologist at EMC Hospital Tangerang).