- Often undiagnosed, depression in kids is often treated as 'the blues'. It is more difficult to identify depression in children, but there are common signs that adults can look at. These symptoms are show below:
- The child is always sad, and he always feels worthless and guilty;
- There is an observed frequency in complaints about physical illness, such as headaches, stomachache, toothache, muscle pains, and tiredness;
- Poor performance in school and lack of interest in learning are shown. Sometimes, poor performance becomes drastic;
- The child expresses concerns about running away from home or expresses this through jokes;
- Observed behavior in shouting and complaining is frequent. The child cries without explanation or reason;
- Observed behavior of boredom and lack of interest in many activities that are deemed normal. These activities are the same activities that most kids his age enjoy;
- Poor communication skills, which often lead to isolation from social groups;
- Observed sensitivity to failure and rejection;
- Feelings of anger and hostility are observed to increase;
- Behavior becomes more and more reckless and uncaring;
- There is an observed change in physical health, such as weight; there is also an observed loss of appetite and sleep;
- Suicidal thoughts are present. This is often verbalized or expressed in drawings.
please watch your child
child suicide
This is a topic no one likes to discuss, and no parent wants to even talk, but suicides in children and young people do happen. While older adults are far more likely to commit suicide than children, according to statics suicide is the third major cause of death in young children .
Suicide Risk Factors
Mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and severe anxiety disorders along with an alcohol or substance abuse disorder are the biggest risk factors for suicide.
The top two most important risk factors for suicide for girls is major depression and a previous suicide attempt. For boys, the top risk factor is a previous suicide attempt, followed by depression, disruptive behavior, and substance abuse.
There are several warning signs that someone may be at increased risk of suicide, and they are:
suicide notes — these should always be taken seriously
threatening suicide — direct or indirect
previous attempts of suicide
depression, particularly in the presence of thoughts of helplessness and hopelessness
risk-taking behavior, particularly anything involving gun play, aggression, or substance abuse
making final arrangements — this might involve giving away prized possessions
efforts to hurt themselves, such as self-mutilating behavior and self-destructive acts
inability to concentrate or think rationally
changes in physical habits and appearance, such as insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping far too much), sudden weight gain or loss, disinterest in basic hygiene
great interest in death and suicidal themes — it might manifest in their journal, school papers, drawings
sudden changes in friends, personality and behavior, or withdrawal from family and friends
increased interest in things dealing with suicide — a sudden interest in guns or other weapons, pills, or even alluding to suicidal plans
vulnerable teens and young adults swayed by media reports of celebrity suicides, or the romanticized representation of suicide in movies and television
low levels of communication between parent and child — family discord has not been decisively shown to be a major risk factor for suicide, but it further exacerbates other problems such as depression, alcohol and drub abuse
being bullied or victimized, or being a bully
Unfortunately, many family and friends are left completely bewildered and shocked by the suicide of a young person. It is not uncommon for families to never learn what brought someone to take their own life.
Parents, caregivers, and teachers are the best observers of an adolescent's behavior, and the best judges of suicidal tendencies in children and young adults. If you notice any of the above risk factors, notify your physician, the school counselor, or take them to see a mental health professional immediately. Don't dismiss your instincts or their feelings. If you think something is wrong, it probably is.
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